Justice Minister Costas Fytiris has ordered the creation of specialised rapid-response teams in every province, following a seven-hour closure of the Nicosia-Limassol highway that caused widespread disruption to thousands of drivers.
The closure, caused by an overturned lorry, prompted the Ministry of Justice and Public Order to fast-track a coordinated rapid-response programme aimed at clearing obstacles and reopening highways more quickly.
The new teams will bring together police, the Fire Service and, where necessary, specialised private contractors, the ministry said. Their goal is to remove obstacles and restore highway traffic in the shortest possible time.
Alongside the new teams, traffic police will draw up organised plans for immediate traffic diversion, directing drivers onto safe alternative routes. The ministry said continuous and timely public updates from police, through the media and social media, will also be a priority.
The ministry will also push to secure the necessary funding, based on requirements submitted by police and the Fire Service, so the new response teams can be properly equipped and operate effectively across all provinces.
