ACTIVISTS against a proposed dual carriageway in Paphos will close a road in protest at 11am this morning.
Following a meeting between the Union of Tourist Businesses for the Tombs of the Kings road and the mayor of Paphos Savvas Vergas last week, plans to start construction on the road have been put back until November 1, but this move doesn’t go far enough to appease protesters according to one local bar owner.
Ben Hinton of Ben’s bar, which is set on the busy tourist road, is a member of the union. He told the Cyprus Mail that building a four lane dual carriageway would wreak havoc on local trade and is an unnecessary expense.
“We are calling on everyone to join us on Saturday morning at 11am by the traffic lights at the Roman Hotel on the Tomb of the Kings road. We will close the road for 20 minutes in protest, he said.
Hinton took part in a question and answer session on local radio on Friday and explained to the public the reasons for opposition to the project.
According to Hinton, Vergas had decided to postpone construction on the road until the end of the summer season to give a chance to businesses to operate during the busiest tourist period.
“This is helpful but doesn’t go far enough for us,” he said, “ We are still heavily opposed to turning the street into a dual carriageway although we agree that it does need tidying up.”
Hinton said that construction of the road- to form part of the ring road being built around the town- would be a disaster for already ailing businesses which line the busy tourist hub.
Work in the area will take at least 18 months to complete and Hinton says he fears this will mean many businesses will be forced to shut up shop.
Local shop owners say they have been informed no compensation will be offered to them and they believe the project will be the final blow to trade.
“The road is currently two lanes and will be extended to four, with a bicycle lane, a wide central reservation and a pavement. Many of the business will lose at least half of their frontage and one restaurant will go completely, as it is set right out in the road,” he said.
Hinton stressed that owner’s want the area to be upgraded and tidied up, but that building four lanes makes no sense.
“Having a central reservation all the way along the road is nonsense and although the mayor assured me that there will be lay bys built every 200 meters for delivers, I can’t see the breweries delivering 20 barrels of beer from that far away.”
The bar owner said: “We want to save our street and our trade so we are appealing to everyone to join us at the demonstration to show your support.”
