Hellenic Police respond to the ordeal of thousands of holidaymakers despite open checkpoints

Despite the fact that the state apparatus has been playing the “card” of inconvenience against farmers—delaying, mainly in recent days, the movement of thousands of holidaymakers even after the blockades had been opened—the Hellenic Police state that they have implemented “targeted and temporary traffic measures on the national road network, with the sole aim of ensuring road safety and protecting human life.”

As noted in their statement, “these measures are necessary to prevent serious road accidents and are not intended to arbitrarily block roads, but to manage objectively dangerous traffic conditions.”

At this point, the police focus on the traffic congestion observed in Kastro, Boeotia, clarifying that the diversion of traffic does not take place at the site of the farmers’ blockade itself, but approximately eight (8) kilometres earlier—specifically at the exit of the Martino grade-separated interchange. The Hellenic Police speak of a “misleading impression of a complete road closure” and argue that “in reality, the measure aims to avoid extremely dangerous situations, as allowing vehicles to pass through the blockade area would require constant manoeuvres to avoid agricultural machinery, protesting pedestrians, and makeshift structures located on the roadway.”

In this context, the Hellenic Police also provide alternative routes towards Athens.

The Hellenic Police Statement

Since the start of the farmers’ mobilisations, the Hellenic Police have implemented targeted and temporary traffic measures on the national road network, with the sole aim of ensuring road safety and protecting human life. The traffic arrangements enforced by Traffic Police units are directly linked to the presence of agricultural tractors, stationary or moving obstacles, as well as pedestrians on the roadway. These measures are necessary to prevent serious road accidents and are not intended to arbitrarily block roads, but to manage objectively dangerous traffic conditions.

With regard to Kastro, Boeotia—a location where social media users have reported traffic diversions without the presence of farmers or agricultural tractors—it is clarified that the diversion of traffic does not take place at the site of the farmers’ blockade itself, but approximately eight (8) kilometres earlier, specifically at the exit of the Martino grade-separated interchange. In particular, for traffic heading towards Athens, vehicles are diverted from kilometre point 125.770 (Martino Interchange) to kilometre point 114.815 (Kastro Interchange) via the motorway service road, while for traffic heading towards Thessaloniki, circulation is carried out through one (1) lane of the A.TH.E. motorway.

This specific arrangement may create the misleading impression of a complete road closure for passing drivers. In reality, however, it aims to prevent extremely dangerous situations, as allowing vehicles to pass through the blockade area would require constant manoeuvres to avoid agricultural machinery, protesting pedestrians, and makeshift structures located on the roadway.

In addition to the above arrangement, drivers may also follow other alternative routes towards Athens, as follows:

Exit the motorway at the Anthili interchange and travel via Bralos, Amfikleia, Kato Tithorea and Orchomenos to re-enter at the Kastro interchange.

Exit the motorway at the Atalanti interchange and travel via Atalanti and Orchomenos to re-enter at the Kastro interchange.

Similar traffic arrangements are also being implemented at other locations across the country where farmers’ mobilisations are under way (a detailed list of locations is available via a dedicated banner on the Hellenic Police website at the following link: https://www.astynomia.gr/kykloforiakes-rythmiseis-logo-agrotikon-kinitopoiiseon/).

At the same time, according to weather forecast bulletins, severe weather phenomena are expected in the coming days, further increasing the risk of traffic accidents, particularly at locations with limited roadway width and an increased presence of obstacles. Given the increased movement of holidaymakers, the Hellenic Police advise drivers to take into account the traffic measures in force, to stay informed before departing and returning, and, where possible, to consider adjusting the timing of their return—especially on Sunday, when the main volume of return traffic is expected.

The Hellenic Police will continue to implement the necessary traffic measures for as long as the extraordinary conditions persist, with the sole objective of protecting human life and ensuring public safety.