Following angry protests from motorists, a recent meeting was held at the Prefectoral Offices to discuss the progress, or lack of it, of the Karteros-Episkopi road-works.

Attending the meeting were Prefect Mrs. Vaggelio Schinaraki, Episkopi Mayor Haris Rothitakis, Gouves Mayor Yiorgos Nikolakakis and representatives from both councils, as well as other community groups.

The discussion centred mainly on the contractor's failure to bring forth promised works and Mrs. Schinaraki pointed out that the prefecture will proceed with legal means to ensure the contractor completes the road. 

Following the meeting, Mayor Nikolakakis declared the project at an "impasse."

"The road is a dead end and requires some policy decisions on the part of the prefecture," he stated. "Indeed, some residents and motorists are threatening protests and other actions. They are so horribly inconvenienced. There are many people in that area that must go through it daily because they cannot reach their destination otherwise."

The mayor explained the project is overseen by the prefecture.

"In the beginning we helped the works financially by assisting with the expropriations, but we couldn't save it technically," he said. "The contractor has not been forthright; he's very inconsistent and constantly causes problems."

Mr. Nikolakakis said there are three solutions, as he sees the situation.

"First, the contractor is fired from the project, but that might not be possible because of some binding terms and commitments in the contracts. The second scenario is for the contractor to complete the works, but I don't see that as happening.  And the third is to dissolve the agreement by mutual consent, and find another contractor.

"It is a tremendous project because it's not just the road but also a whole network of entrances and exits along it. Unfortunately, as of now it's at an impasse and the people have every right to be angry."