The Slovenian government on Wednesday started erecting barriers to control the flow of migrants, with trucks carrying fencing wires arriving the village of Veliki Obrez, close to the border with Croatia.

Slovenia is the smallest country on a major route for refugees and migrants heading north on their way to Austria and Germany.

Reuters reports that large numbers of soldiers and police were at the scene, some guarding construction equipment.

About 180,000 people, many fleeing the war in Syria and Afghanistan, have entered the Alpine state since mid October when Hungary fenced off its border with Croatia and pushed the migrant route toward its western neighbour.

The development followed Prime Minister Miro Cerar’s announcement on Tuesday that the border would remain open but that the fence would go up to help control the flow of people.