COMMERCIAL truck drivers working at a quarry in Parekklissia village outside Limassol yesterday closed the exit to the village from the Limassol-Nicosia motorway, in protest at the placement of humps on the road to prevent vehicles from speeding when passing through the village.
Local residents and Parekklissia Council, however, are adamant about the need to keep the road humps and place additional precautions to protect the safety of locals from speeding vehicles.
“It is a big surprise for us that this protest took place against the traffic calmers,” said Marios Loukaides, Vice-President of Parekklissia Council. “These humps were placed in co-operation with responsible stakeholders, including Public Works, district administration and quarry administration, according to EU standards and regulations.”
Pareklissia residents had been demanding for years the placement of road humps to prevent excessive speeding. The first two were placed three years ago, and a third one was installed last year. All humps are placed at turns on road crossings within the village.
“The decision to place these road humps was reached unanimously by our Council, expressing the will of the entire Parekklissia community. Our aim was to stop trucks and private vehicles from speeding, to protect the safety of our residents.
“We believe this has been successful in preventing vehicles from excessive speeding.
Consider that there is a kindergarten opposite the quarry and children and their mothers have to cross the street. That is one spot where a hump has been placed,” Loukaides explained.
Truck drivers, however, who pass the road on a daily basis to reach Parekklissia quarry for work are complaining that the humps are adversely affecting their vehicles.
“Removing the humps is simply out of the question. If they do not speed their trucks won’t get damaged by the humps. Let them take whatever measures they want. We may only consider redesigning the humps if it is proved that they are causing damage to passing cars. Closing off the road does not serve the interests of the quarry either. The truck drivers are going against everyone. Instead of respecting our community, these truck drivers are complaining,” Loukaides said.
Parekklissia Council has made it clear that not only will the road humps stay, but more will be placed in the area in the future. “Our plans include the installation of additional humps. The road from the village entrance to the sea will be reconstructed in 2009-2010, creating pedestrian and bicycle lanes as well as other features. This project will be coupled with the insertion of additional humps on the road.
“Our community had always wished for the quarry to be removed from the area for health and safety reasons. The presence of the quarry also holds back the development of our village. However, the quarry is valuable for the economy of Cyprus as a whole and we appreciate that. Nevertheless, we are trying to reduce noise pollution and the risk to residents’ lives,” Loukaides said.
