The association of transportation engineers has expressed strong concern and opposition to Nicosia Municipal Council’s decision to lift weekday traffic restrictions in the northern section of Makarios Avenue and Anastasiou Leventi Street, while completely banning all vehicles on weekends.
In a statement, the association warns the decision will have several negative consequences, including undermining a project co-funded by the European Union with €30 million.
This decision contradicts the philosophy and design of an EU-funded project, undermines priority for public transport, pedestrians and cyclists, and jeopardises Cyprus’s reputation and financial credibility with the European Union, the statement reads.
The association criticises the decision for being made “without technical documentation or impact assessment” and claims it resulted from “political and business pressures” rather than proper planning.
The engineers argue that instead of implementing a well-studied and long-term strategy to enhance existing interventions—such as high-quality corridors for pedestrians, cyclists and visitors, and connections to the new Museum, Parliament, old GSP stadium and new parking areas—the council has chosen a hasty solution without perspective.
The statement emphasises that the Commercial Triangle redevelopment in central Nicosia represents a reference point for sustainable mobility in Cyprus and warns that any attempt to dismantle it without scientific and social criteria undermines efforts to modernise Cypriot cities.
The association is calling for:
- Immediate suspension of the decision and a technical assessment of its consequences
- Authorities to respect European commitments and citizens’ needs for sustainable and equitable mobility
- An immediate meeting with the Mayor and Municipal Council, with all stakeholders present
“The solution for Nicosia is not returning to the past,” the association concludes. “It’s supporting comprehensive, sustainable interventions that ensure vitality, safety and accessibility for all”.
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