The twelfth coordination of mayors of Upper Gorenjska took place in the Municipality of Bohinj. The debate focused primarily on traffic and parking issues in the Pokljuka area and the effectiveness of inspection supervision.
With the Action Plan for directing visits and recreational activities in the TNP area, the TNP Public Institute strives to upgrade measures that guide visits and are tolerable to nature, locals, and visitors' experiences.
Bohinjska Bistrica – The last coordination of mayors of Upper Gorenjska took place mainly in light of traffic problems in the Pokljuka area and inspection supervision. As explained by Bohinj mayor Jože Sodja, the situation with the Pokljuka traffic regime is anything but rosy. "We reviewed the data of the working group addressing this problem. I am glad that other municipalities are also dealing with the problem of nature protection and safe and nature-friendly human experiences. And that all municipalities, not just the Municipality of Bohinj, are addressing how to ensure safe and quality life for local people and residents despite the large number of tourists," said Sodja.
Challenges of the Pokljuka traffic regime
Aleš Zdešar, head of the spatial planning department at TNP, said that at the coordination they presented measures to calm traffic on Pokljuka, especially those implemented within the Vrh Julijcev project. "It mainly involves speed calming on the Mrzli Studenec–Rudno polje road and measures for closing forest roads," said Zdešar, pointing out the need for comprehensive traffic management. Among the measures are parking lot arrangements, harmonization of parking regimes, and finding a solution to stop traffic when parking lots are full. "The most ambitious scenario involves regulating traffic with barriers and providing transport with shuttle buses," explained Zdešar.
More effective supervision
They then addressed inspection services and changes to the Public Order and Peace Act. Gregor Jarkovič, head of the Intermunicipal Inspectorate and Civil Guard Jesenice, explained that they discussed the issue of illegal camping again. "Based on field findings, black camping in the natural environment is problematic. A working group has been established at the Ministry of the Interior to tackle areas where the law will be amended. I expect this law to proceed to further consideration as soon as possible and resolve the issue," he explained. They also spoke about inspection supervision. According to Jarkovič, it is ineffective because procedures take more than a year, even two or three years, due to procedural legislation. "We know that tourist municipalities are extremely burdened with interests, causing obvious degradation of the natural environment and space, and effective supervision by inspection services is lacking, especially building inspection. Certainly, it is primarily the state that proposes legislative changes to enable inspection services to implement measures more effectively," he said.
Source:
https://www.gorenjskiglas.si/article/20240215/C/240219899/1011/prometni-izzivi-pokljuke