It may take a lot to convince drivers who bump and grind their way through the obstacle course of local streets (see last month's story on the Karteros-Episkopi road), but, according to one ministry a new plan will smooth the way to better roads.

The Ministry of Environment, Land Planning and Public Works now clearly defines its responsibilities regarding the road networks in Greece. The ministry reallocates the national roads, avenues and local street networks and takes responsibility to service and maintain 1,000 kilometres of road networks across Greece which includes the Northern Axis Road Network on Crete.

This "clear" planning aims to put an end to the constant "not our jurisdiction" outcry heard by municipalities, districts, provinces and, of course, the ministry itself, which results not only in the poor maintenance and neglect of roads, but also in the endless suffering of local residents.

All Greek Districts must name (within the next six months) all the roads that fall under their own jurisdiction, so that road responsibilities can be defined, and on a more local level in the municipalities.

This decision by the ministry implements a 1955 act, and a series of presidential decrees in 1956, dealing with the construction and maintenance of public roads by dividing them into national, provincial and municipal except that, over the years the responsibilities became convoluted and more and more roads just remained unclaimed.

The ministry notes that any "dangerous" damage to repair on public roads must be done within ten days (whether the responsibility is the ministry's or the local government's) and, in case of delays, disciplinary proceedings will be initiated. The ministry also underlines that public utilities that install cables or pipes must restore the roads within ten days from the completion of work.