The Battle Over Barriers: Cars Blocked on “Ararat” Street in Sofia’s Krastova Vada District

Barrier on “Ararat” Street Causes Controversy in Sofia

Sofia, Bulgaria – A barrier on “Ararat” street in the “Krastova vada” district of the capital has sparked a heated debate among residents and landowners. The barrier, which prevents cars from passing through, has been the subject of a dispute between the “Lozenets” district and the owners of the land on which the street is located.

The owners argue that the barriers were placed on private property and therefore cannot be ordered to remove them. They claim that they have the right to enclose their property and restrict traffic on the street. However, the “Lozenets” district has deemed the barriers illegal construction and has issued a finding report ordering their removal.

The issue has gained attention in recent months as the movement of cars on “Ararat” street has been completely stopped due to the electric barriers placed on both sides. This has caused inconvenience for residents and frequent passers-by, including parents who drive their children to a nearby private school and kindergarten.

The situation is not unique to “Ararat” street. Similar barriers have been placed on the neighboring street, “Akad. Ivan Buresh,” which is also on private land. This has led to restricted access in more than half of the street network in the surrounding neighborhoods.

The problem of privately owned streets in Sofia has been a long-standing issue. The municipality has been trying to find solutions by demanding the donation of parts of properties to be used for public infrastructure. However, the cost of expropriation has proven to be a challenge, as the funds are not available in the municipality’s budget.

The lack of maintenance and repair of these privately owned streets has also been a concern. The municipality is not responsible for their upkeep, leading to broken asphalt, mud, and a lack of sidewalks and street lighting.

The controversy surrounding “Ararat” street highlights the need for a comprehensive solution to the issue of privately owned streets in Sofia. The chief architect of Sofia, Zdravko Zdravkov, has emphasized the need for a significant financial resource to address the problem. The municipality is currently working on expropriation plans for priority streets, but the process is costly and requires substantial funding.

In the meantime, the dispute between the “Lozenets” district and the owners of “Ararat” street continues. The district plans to escalate the issue to the municipal Directorate “Architecture and Town Planning” for further action. The owners, on the other hand, have sent an objection to the district administration and are prepared to seek their rights in court.

The situation serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by the municipality in managing privately owned streets and the need for a comprehensive solution to ensure the proper maintenance and accessibility of these areas.Barriers on “Ararat” Street in Sofia’s “Krastova vada” district are causing controversy as they prevent cars from passing through. The barriers, which were placed on private property, have been ordered to be removed by the “Lozenets” district, but the landowners are objecting, claiming that they have the right to control access to their property.

The issue of restricted access on “Ararat” Street has been ongoing for several months, with electric barriers blocking the road on both sides. The landowners argue that they built the sidewalks and laid the asphalt themselves, and therefore have the right to determine who can pass through. Similar barriers have also been placed on the neighboring street, “Akad. Ivan Buresh,” which is also on private land.

This problem extends to more than half of the street network in the surrounding neighborhoods, including “Vitosha,” “Krastova Vada,” “Vitosha VEC-Simeonovo,” and “Manastirski Livadi.” The issue is not only the restrictions on passage but also the lack of responsibility from the municipality for the maintenance of these private streets.

In recent years, the Mayor’s administration has attempted to find solutions by demanding the donation of parts of properties to be used for public infrastructure. However, the cost of expropriation is too high, and the funds are not available in the municipality’s budget.

The barriers on “Ararat” Street were reported by residents and passers-by in the area, citing concerns about reckless driving. Parents who drive their children to a nearby school also complain about the lack of alternative routes. However, the school’s buses have been provided with a remote control to raise the barriers.

The “Lozenets” district has deemed the barriers on “Ararat” Street as illegal construction and issued a finding report. The landowners have refused to voluntarily remove the barriers, leading the district to escalate the issue to the municipal Directorate “Architecture and Town Planning.”

The landowners argue that the barriers are placed on private property and cannot be ordered to remove them. They have sent an objection to the district administration and suggest that they will seek their rights in court.

The mayor of the “Lozenets” district, Konstantin Pavlov, explains that the electric barriers are considered illegal construction as they were built without a construction permit. He emphasizes the need for approved projects and interpretive letters from the regional ministry for any construction, whether on private or public property.

The issue of private streets in Sofia is not limited to “Ararat” Street. Many areas, especially around the Ring Road, have similar problems with poorly maintained infrastructure and lack of municipal responsibility.

To address this issue, the municipality has been acquiring private land through expropriation. However, the process is costly, and the municipality’s budget is limited. The chief architect of Sofia, Zdravko Zdravkov, estimates that 40 million BGN (approximately 20 million euros) will be needed to buy the land necessary for the street network in the “Vitosha-VEC Simeonovo” district alone.

The “Sofia Team” emphasizes the need for better planning and protection of public interest in the issuance of building permits. They suggest tying building permit requirements to infrastructure development and capacity. They also recommend considering the acquisition of land for public needs during the creation of detailed development plans, without necessarily requiring a purchase.

The issue of private streets in Sofia is a complex and ongoing problem that requires careful consideration and planning to ensure the proper development and maintenance of the city’s infrastructure.

How can the municipality address the financial barriers associated with expropriation plans for privately owned streets in Sofia?

The barriers and have sent an objection to the district administration. They are prepared to seek their rights in court.

The Chief Architect of Sofia, Zdravko Zdravkov, has emphasized the need for a significant financial resource to address the issue of privately owned streets. The municipality is currently working on expropriation plans for priority streets, but the process is costly and requires substantial funding.

While the dispute between the “Lozenets” district and the owners of “Ararat” Street continues, the municipality is facing challenges in managing privately owned streets. The lack of maintenance and repair of these streets has become a concern, as the municipality is not responsible for their upkeep. This has resulted in broken asphalt, mud, and a lack of sidewalks and street lighting.

The controversy surrounding “Ararat” Street highlights the need for a comprehensive solution to the issue of privately owned streets in Sofia. The municipality must find ways to ensure the proper maintenance and accessibility of these areas. Until then, the dispute between the “Lozenets” district and the landowners of “Ararat” Street remains unresolved, and the situation serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by the municipality in managing privately owned streets.