TO Palermo it’s already summer in the air. The beginning of the season, or the solstice, is officially placed on June 21st. But high temperatures already accompany the days of those who live in the Sicilian capital and beyond. With the arrival of the summer, the usual influx of tourists also returns. Many arrive via the Punta Raisi airport. But a good portion passes through the port of Palermo. We’re talking about cruise passengers. Groups of hundreds of people who decide to get off the ship to see the beauty that the city has to offer.
To do this, very often tourist vehicles are chosen, such as open-top buses but also and above all carriages pulled by horses. A traditional means of transport in our region which has already caused discussion in the past due to the use of horses in the hot Sicilian summers. A problem to date unresolved by the Municipal Administration and for which the current councilor for Animal Welfare Fabrizio Ferrandelli will be called upon to find solutions. But such a movement of tourist vehicles above all causes problems on the traffic front. And those who pay the bill are not only truck drivers and motorists who get stuck in traffic every day, but also and above all the residents.
The testimony of a resident of the port area: “In the morning it is chaos”
Many drivers await the arrival of tourists on their “vehicles”, parked on the opposite bank of via Francesco Crispi at via Mariano Stabile. Tourists exit from the Sammuzzo gate due to the closure of the central entrance to the port for works. A position that is not exactly congenial and which causes chaos on the traffic front every morning. In fact, especially during the early hours of the morning, there are many motorists and truck drivers who get stuck in traffic. But they are not the only ones to suffer inconveniences. Then there are those who have the problem at home, such as residents and traders in the area.
“The tourist welcome with horses was done in the midst of cars and near a terrible intersection. Every morning it’s the same story – comments a resident of Piazza XIII Vittime who preferred to remain anonymous -. All the tourists end up stopping in front of the porticoes of the buildings in the area, waiting for a tourist vehicle with which to move around. This is not possible. We need to find concrete solutions to the problem. With the arrival of summer the situation can only get worse.” And it is precisely the road system in the port of Palermo that is causing concern. In recent days, the editorial staff of BlogSicilia has heard the cry for help from the traders in Via dell’Arsenale, worried about the traffic of heavy vehicles that is created at the landing stages. Last year the Municipality tried to sign an agreement with the Port Authority to reduce inconvenience. To date, however, especially during rush hours, the situation remains critical. And those who pay the bill are those who experience this discomfort every day.
