Venice to introduce one-way streets – for pedestrians!

The overcrowded city of Venice could soon be introducing a one-way system – for pedestrians. According to a report in The Guardian, the city has designated some of its narrow thoroughfares as one-way “streets” and its authorities are ready to fine anyone who breaks the rules. The newspaper reports that the fines are “enough to bring tears to the eyes of a well-heeled motorist, let alone a strolling backpacker”, ranging from 25 to 500 euros. Independent traveller Alan Beeson, who returned from Venice just a few days back, told News From Abroad that “something needs to be done”, considering the number of people who cram into the city – especially during carnival season, which has just begun. He said: “The number of pedestrian tourists can be a real problem, especially when groups stop to look at a particular attraction.” But he added: “I’m not sure imposing fines is the best way to go – it could just create a bad atmosphere for everyone. Surely it would be better to pay people to stand on the streets helping the pedestrian traffic to flow smoothly by encouraging the tourists to keep moving?” The Guardian reports that more than 100,000 people are expected in the centre of the city for the last day of the carnival, on 25 February.