After the words of the mayor Adriana Poli Bortone, re-elected last Monday by ballot against the outgoing Carlo Salvemini, the issue relating to the pedestrianization Of Via XXV Luglio a Lecce begins to hold court again in the streets of the historic center between approvals and disappointments Merchants e residentswhich remain division.
Adriana Poli Bortone’s idea: «The project needs to be rethought and perhaps moved to another street in the historic center»
In recent days the first citizen had been clear: «The pedestrianization project of the avenue must be rethought. I will check whether the construction site along Via XXV Luglio can be moved to other streets in the historic center.” Statements collected by our newspaper that divided the city. Also because the tender has already been tendered and the work should have started immediately after the summer.
The tobacconist: «Dangerous road, it must be closed»
«This is now a fast road – explains Franco Pennetta of Tabaccheria Pennetta -. Where has anyone ever seen that a historic center is split by a road that appears to be a ring road? Beyond my interests and those of my business, I hope that this street can be closed to vehicular traffic. Also because the cycle path on this road is a real mess. And it is dangerous because it is full of potholes that put the safety of citizens at risk.”
The pedestrianization works on Via XXV Luglio should start, as mentioned, in September, but the new mayor’s assessments of a possible stop to the project could soon shuffle the cards on the table.
«They have to close this road because it has become a Formula 1 track – adds Giancarlo D’Elia of Outlet Porta San Martino -. Sooner or later someone risks dying. Here we are full of poison for this situation. We need to increase the pedestrian area as in all Italian cities. Motorists have to take the ring road to go home, because here we are in the historic center. Regardless of my activity, this is a thoroughfare and in my opinion it should be closed.”
Antonio Montinari of Sirta Viaggi, in via Achille Costa, preferred not to take a position on the subject, focusing attention on other issues: «Pedestrianization of via XXV Luglio? Frankly, I can’t predict the future and so I don’t feel like taking a stand either for or against. I can only say that since the last administration took office, this street has been destined to die from a commercial point of view. I’ll start by saying that I’m far from the political affairs of the city because I’m only interested in the fate of my business, but this street has become a bus terminus and is now deprived of parking. So we feel penalized».
The shopkeeper: «We need parking»
Diametrically opposing opinions were recorded from traders on the first stretch of Via XXV Luglio. «Loading and unloading is always busy and we have enormous difficulty continuing to work in these conditions – says Sonia Vetrugno from Pandoro -. Parking has become a problem for us and the cycle path is very dangerous. Therefore I am against the pedestrianization of this street. New car parks and other stations to facilitate loading and unloading are welcome. So we hope that with the new administration the situation for us workers can improve.”
And Carmelo Marra of Arte e Complementi d’arredo also hopes to block the pedestrianization project of the arterial road. “I told my wife that if the work starts in December I will be forced to lower the shutter. I only work with motorists. If this road were to be closed to traffic I would be totally cut off. In this street during the winter there is not a soul – concludes Marra -. Without motorists for me it would be a real disaster”.
Residents’ committee: «With pedestrianization we would be isolated»
The president of the Residents’ Committee for the Protection of the Historic Center, Isabelle Oztasciyan, also spoke on the issue: «We were already perplexed about the closure of such an important artery of the city because it would have created swirling traffic in Viale Cavallotti. For me and for people above a certain age, it would be a sentence of solitary confinement. So I am against this project and I hope that the new mayor will be able to remedy this situation. Residents have the right to go to the theater, to a concert and to have friends. With the pedestrianization of such a long stretch of road we would be totally isolated. We are forced to pick up our friends by car to allow them to visit our house.”
In short, a city divided on a project that has been awaited for years and which has the objective of linking the area of the Castle, but also Piazza Mazzini (through the restyling of Viale Trinchese) to the ancient heart of the city, Piazza Sant’Oronzo.
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