The goal, it seemed obvious to us, was to reduce car traffic and, on the other hand, to allow pedestrians to have more space to walk, especially since it is a thoroughfare heavily used both by tourists and by patrons of the nearby Nice City Hall. An action, therefore, that moved towards better aesthetics in this tourist-favored part of the city, which sometimes lacks charm due to the proliferation of shops, bars, cafés, and restaurants whose main objective is, of course, commercial.
A few weeks before the end of the said works, we must unfortunately note that the objective of the operation has been partly missed, at least in its application. Because even if, indeed, the sidewalks have now doubled in size compared to the previous situation, and the roadway for cars reduced to the possibility of passage of only one vehicle at a time, it does not mean that pedestrians’ experience has improved as anticipated.
In fact, it’s enough to visit the site to notice that the restaurants on Rue Saint-François de Paule have taken the opportunity to set up rows of tables to offer their clientele larger terraces!!! The poor pedestrians are thus forced to weave between the tables to pass without being stepped over by waiters!
One can fully understand the attitude and behavior of the restaurateurs who, as good traders, have taken advantage of a favorable situation to enhance their customer service and even increase the number of available seats.
What can one say? Gifts are not refused, especially during a crisis… and there are certainly fees to be paid.
But what about the pedestrians in all this? Are they innocent victims of a situation that perhaps escaped the attention of those in charge? We have no doubt that the intentions and objectives of the City Hall remain the same: to promote pedestrian traffic and improve the aesthetics of the place. Why should we think differently?
Do you know this one?: “Thinking badly is a sin, but often it’s the truth.”
