Farmers’ roadblocks: Improved situation on the road network – How traffic is flowing

Traffic on most of the country’s main arteries is moving at low speeds, but with a better picture than yesterday, today, Christmas Eve. The Police have reached an understanding with farmers at various roadblocks, allowing traffic to pass in some areas with fewer lanes.

Since yesterday, the farmers—acting on the decision of their nationwide assembly in Lefkonas, Serres—have opened the roads, but in most cases vehicle movement was routed via detours, as the Traffic Police did not give the green light for traffic to pass through the blockades themselves. Later in the afternoon, a few lanes on the National Highways were reopened, slightly easing congestion.

At the same time, from the Nikaia roadblock, farmers—following a press conference on Wednesday morning—declared that “we are staying, we insist, and we continue the struggle to secure our future.” They also stressed that “roadblocks are not a PlayStation game to keep moving tractors around.” In addition, they denounced attempts to undermine the farmers’ struggle by dividing the blockades.

Meanwhile, the farmers at Nikaia in Larissa decided to wait and see how the next few days develop and, if necessary, to organize another nationwide meeting. The vice-president of the Federation of Farmers’ Associations of Larissa Prefecture, Sokratis Alefthiras, commented that “we will also facilitate the return of holiday travelers after New Year’s, and if our demands are not heard, we will toughen our stance in the new year by closing detour roads for longer periods and shutting down the National Highway in more locations. The public’s frustration is growing,” he noted.

Furthermore, after both lanes of the overpass above the Nikaia roadblock toward Thessaloniki were reopened on Tuesday night, congestion at that point has eased considerably.

The situation has also clearly improved at the Kastro junction in Viotia shortly before 13:00, where long queues were observed yesterday, as a second lane has now been reopened to traffic (in addition to the emergency lane). Traffic is now flowing at higher speeds, while many drivers honk in support as they pass the farmers at the roadblocks.

Traffic is now flowing normally again in both lanes of the Athens–Lamia National Highway from Schimatari to the Thiva junction. The situation today is significantly improved compared with yesterday.

Early in the morning, shortly after 9:30, full traffic in both lanes was restored after the cones were removed by the Traffic Police. The detour at the Ritsona junction—where until yesterday traffic was limited to the right lane only—has now been lifted, easing driver movement.

At Skala Atalantis, two lanes toward Lamia have been open since yesterday afternoon. Although there are no serious problems, drivers are moving at low speeds as cars pass close to parked tractors.

At the Bralos junction, traffic is moving in both directions with minimal delays.

However, traffic remains heavy on the old national road from Thiva to Bralos, combined with vehicle flow from Rio–Antirrio and Amfissa along the same route.

In two locations on the Western Greece road network, in Aetolia-Acarnania and Achaia, traffic is being diverted due to the roadblocks.

Since Tuesday, tractors and farm vehicles have been parked at the roadside, with two lanes open in each direction and toll barriers raised, in order—according to representatives of the farmers and livestock breeders—to facilitate the movement of holiday travelers.

Nevertheless, since agricultural vehicles remain on the motorway, the Police are diverting traffic onto the old Antirrio–Ioannina national road via the Halkio and Kouvaras junctions, resulting in increased traffic volumes.

Drivers can find alternative routes and information on detours across the road network on the Hellenic Police website.

It is noted that farmers will keep the roads open until Friday; from Saturday to Monday they will close them again, and from Tuesday 30/12 until 02/01 they will reopen them for New Year’s travelers. New assemblies at the roadblocks are expected on Friday to determine the future course of the protest actions.

Patras Ring Road Roadblock Open Until Friday

Shortly after 12:00, the Patras Ring Road at the Eglykada junction reopened with one lane available in each direction. Farmers and livestock breeders have parked their tractors at the roadside.

This decision has improved the situation that had prevailed in the center of Patras in recent days.

Athens-bound Lane of the National Highway Reopens at Malgara

Since yesterday, the Athens-bound lane of the National Highway at Malgara—closed since the first day of the farmers’ mobilizations—has been reopened.

Farmers at Malgara moved their tractors aside, clearing two lanes and opening the roadblock for Christmas travelers.

According to an announcement by the Hellenic Police, at the Malgara tolls traffic is flowing through two lanes toward Athens, while toward Thessaloniki, there are three available lanes.

At the same time, the farmers’ and livestock breeders’ roadblock remains in place at the Derveni junction, at the intersection of the old Thessaloniki–Kavala national road with other major arteries. Farmers will not stage any new protest action until Saturday 27/12, while shifts continue as normal and the tractors and farm vehicles remain lined up at the roadside. A similar picture prevails at the Chalkidona roadblock on the old Thessaloniki–Edessa National Road. Meanwhile, farmers, livestock breeders, and producers have repositioned their tractors at the “Green Lights” roadblock and say they are waiting for the riot police buses to leave so that Georgikis Scholis Avenue can reopen, allowing traffic to and from Macedonia Airport to pass there as well as via the Moudania road.