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Athens News Agency: News in English, 09-07-08
CONTENTS
[01] Athens-OSE memorandum
[01] Athens-OSE memorandum
Athens Mayor Nikitas Kaklamanis and Hellenic Railways Organisation
(OSE) managing director Giorgios Giannousis on Wednesday signed a
Memorandum of Cooperation on behalf of the City of Athens and OSE, in
the presence of Transport and Communications Minister Evripidis
Stylianidis.
The Memorandum establishes a consistent, close collaboration between
the City of Athens, the Transport Ministry and OSE, and foresees the
creation of a joint body with the following responsibilities:
- To function as an ?Observatory? that will monitor the implementation
of environmental study conditions, the progress of works and the
solution of potential problems.
- To create a proposal for the joint upgrading, development and use of
the Peloponnese station (Ciller building) as a cultural and recreation
space, while maintaining and promoting the timeless history of the
railway and its ties to the city.
The ?Observatory? aims to ensure that the terms of the environmental
study are implemented throughout the period that works are carried out,
so that the greatest possible benefits are derived in favour of
citizens.
The submerging and undergrounding of a large section of OSE railway
lines not only puts an end to the splitting of Athens in two but, at
the same time, creates open green spaces and sports and recreational
areas that will completely change the appearance of the area, for the
better. Additionally, green spaces and recreational areas will be
created on some 20,000 square metres of OSE-owned property for
neighbourhood residents. The construction of a satisfactory number of
pedestrian underpasses and overpasses will allow for the unimpeded
passage of pedestrians and merge sections of the city on both sides of
the railway lines. New road junctions are being created in order to
ensure the smooth flow and movement of vehicles, between the areas on
both sides of the railway line.
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