MINISTER of Communications and Works Nicos Nicolaides yesterday paid a visit to Limassol Town Hall, where he was questioned on a number of pending infrastructure issues plaguing the town.
In the presence of Limassol councillors, representatives of Town Planning, the Port Authority, local stakeholders and the press, the Mayor of Limassol Andreas Christou scrutinised the Minister on issues ranging from the new passenger hall at Limassol Port to public transportation.
“Limassol is presently at a stage of transformation,” said Nicolaides. “It is gaining its identity and evolving into an academic centre, a modern seaside town and a commercial centre. The local authority has set its own standards on technocratic approach and political will to resolve issues. Together we will address the problems facing the biggest municipality in Cyprus,” he added.
Much of the debate revolved around port-related issues. The municipality has a long-standing disagreement with the state on the need to receive compensation for the social, infrastructure and environmental impacts from the port’s operation. Limassol Municipality has requested to receive €2 for each load of cargo received at port.
“This issue has not only matured, it’s fallen to the ground. It was first put forward under Mayor Antonis Hadjipavlou in 1986. We agree there should be discussion, but we should not drag it on and on – a decision must be reached,” Christou said.
The Ministry’s position so far has been that Limassol benefits economically from the Port’s operation. Nicolaides conceded that this position would be re-examined. “We do feel that the municipality’s request is valid and reasonable and we should all get together to find a solution,” said Nicolaides.
The Minister also dispelled rumours that the new passenger hall at the port would not be completed because of circles pushing for the revamp of Larnaca Port. He confirmed the project was in motion and would be delivered by 2011.
Christou also presented a proposal for a set of state-sponsored projects, which he said would balance out the negative impacts from the operation of Ayia Fyla and Polemidia roundabouts. These include the connection of Evagoras Lanitis Street with 1 April Street, the connection of Scarlatti and Sfaktyrias Streets, the creation of Azaleas Park and the placement of sound barriers along the Ayia Fyla roundabout to reduce noise pollution in a residential area.
“We cannot continue to work like this and take the role of beggars from each government. We have some dignity and have set specific demands to make up for the impacts from the operation of the roundabouts,” Christou said.
Nicolaides agreed that the problem should be addressed, particularly that of noise pollution caused by motorway traffic passing through residential areas. “This has caused a serious social problem due to an apparent inability fully to complete projects before they are delivered. Sound barriers should have been placed. The Ministry has decided that in any area where noise exceeds 70 decibels, sound barriers must be placed and this will be gradually enforced throughout Cyprus.”
Regarding Limassol’s appalling public transport system, the Minister said that efforts would be made so that the seaside town does not lag behind Nicosia in getting a traffic study and a modern fleet of buses. Christou was adamant about the need for public transportation, which will start with a traffic study to assess needs.
“When will they get back to us with the traffic study? We do not wish to find ourselves in a situation where we’ve built a four-lane street to later find out it should have had six lanes,
“It is imperative to replace the bus fleet in a town with a growing university, a growing periphery and a large local and tourist population,” he said.
The Minister said Limassol’s traffic study would cost between €800,000 and €1 million, and that an effort would be made to include it in the 2009 budget.
