Bitola is finally going to get pedestrian lights on Širok Sokak. The Municipality of Bitola has begun construction work to install traffic lights at the intersection near the Goce Delčev square, right in front of the Epinal café. It's one of the busiest spots in central Bitola - and exactly why announcements about this measure have stretched out over several years.

The idea is simple: during the summer school break, Širok Sokak is fully pedestrianised. The rest of the year - when schools are running - the street is open to traffic, and pedestrians have to weave between cars. Without lights, it's a game of chance. With lights - at least there's some formal regulation.

An additional change: Goce Delčev square, which has been used as a parking lot for years, is becoming a pedestrian zone. Which means cars will no longer be able to park there. Local businesses are already unhappy - many of their customers arrive by car, and there is no alternative parking nearby. The question the municipality isn't openly answering: where do those 200 cars park every day?

Also planned: pedestrian lights at the crossing by the Stone Bridge. That's another important spot - lots of pedestrians, especially older residents who live nearby. The municipality says the public will be informed further about these works.

What does all this say about Bitola? That the municipality is working on a string of measures - lights, pedestrian zones, more space for pedestrians. That's the right approach in theory. In practice, every such change brings new problems - parking, business pushback, traffic closures. This is a test for Mayor Toni Konjanovski: can he manage both the technical side and the social pushback that always comes when habits get changed?