The Northern Sporades are facing a big problem with the ferry connections. The interruption of the route connecting the islands with Evia and the thinning of the winter routes almost cut the islands off from the rest of the world.
“The connection with Evia would enable the inhabitants of the Northern Sporades, on the same day, to travel to Athens, while now they are obliged to come to Athens via Volos and take almost a week together with their return to their place,” he writes. in his letter to the Minister of Shipping and Island Policy, Christos Stylianidis, the Metropolitan of Chalkidos, Istiaea and Northern Sporades Mr. Chrysostomos.
He even gives his personal experience as in order to visit the islands as part of his duties he needs a total of seven hours to travel round trip by land and at least eight hours by sea, while from Mantoudi the islands are only an hour and a half away by boat.
The Metropolitan of Chalkidos also emphasizes “the suffering and expenses to which those who want to travel to and from the mentioned destinations must be subjected, as well as the adverse effects that this indescribable and, in our humble opinion, impermissible situation has on the tourism”.
The letter in detail:
“The love owed to my flock is the reason why I bother you with this letter of mine and I ask you to study its content and immediately give a just solution to the problem that I mention to you and it is vital for the inhabitants of the northern Sporades, namely the three Islands of Skiathos, Skopelos and Alonissos, which politically belong to the Prefecture of Magnesia and ecclesiastically to the Hieran Metropolis of Chalkidos.
I believe that many others will have bothered you about the same issue, because it is a well-known complaint of the inhabitants of the Northern Sporades that, during the winter months, they are almost cut off from the rest of the world, due to the infrequent sailings, and also the interruption of the route that connects these islands with the long-suffering Evia.
The connection with Evia would enable the inhabitants of the Northern Sporades to travel to Athens on the same day, while now they are obliged to come to Athens via Volos and take almost a week together with their return to their place.
I have personal experience because, in order to visit these Islands, as I have an obligation, for the performance of my duties, it is necessary for me to travel after my escort from Chalkida to Volos, where we will have to spend the night, so that the next morning, with the first and only itinerary to reach our destination and return in the same way. So we need seven hours of round trip on land and at least eight hours of sea travel, while from Mantoudi our Islands are one and a half hours away by boat!!!
I trust you share the pain and suffering and expense to which those who wish to travel to and from the said destinations must be subjected, as well as the adverse effects this indescribable and, in our humble opinion, impermissible situation has on the tourism, which our Islands need, including the long-suffering and for many years forgotten Evia. Many e.g. they would like to spend some weekends or even three days in the Northern Sporades, if there was access via Evia.
In the hope that you will deal with our request with sincere interest, I thank you in advance and I wish you good mental and physical health, enlightenment and God’s strength and a happy Easter”.
Read also:
Severe weather: 112 message in 4 areas – Warning for strong storms and gale force winds (LIVE)
Diki Mati: Fostieris suspended for two years for submitting false information
Symi: They found a bag with more than 2.5 million dollars in the sea – It is estimated that it is fake
#Northern #Sporades #solution #coastal #shipping #problem #Letter #Metropolitan #Chalkidos #Christos #Stylianides
