The closure of the regional coastal road between Koper and Izola was agreed in a deal that local communities struck with the Infrastructure Ministry on Tuesday as part of the forthcoming opening of a new expressway section.

In exchange for accepting the fact that the new expressway section will be tolled, the communities of Koper, Izola and Piran will take possession of the coastal road, which they intend to shut down.

"I believe the agreement meets the needs of the local communities, tourism and the economy while also ensuring non-discriminatory treatment of the extressway traffic," Infrastructure Minister Peter Gašperšič said.

Izola Mayor Igor Kolenc said the compromise provided "solid foundations for development."

The precise plans are not clear yet but the mayors suggested today it would be turned into a recreational area designated for walking and jogging.

"The management of the coastal road will be in the domain of all three municipalities, the state will not interfere," Gašperšič said.

The existing road is perched on a narrow flat strip at the foot of a steep hill, leaving little space for recreation.

There is a narrow walkway along the road popular among cyclists and joggers, but in summer the road is so congested that the coastal strip is largely abandoned.

The freeing up of the road is expected to change this.