No work on Tombs of the Kings Road for at least a year

PAPHOS Mayor Savvas Vergas has confirmed that plans to upgrade the busy tourist hub of the Tomb of the Kings Road have been put on hold until late next year.

Vergas also said that plans which had been drawn up to construct a dual carriageway would not go ahead in its current form.

He said: “The plans for works on the Tomb of the Kings Road in Kato Paphos are now delayed because we will make some changes to the existing plans.”

Vergas confirmed that work to upgrade the area would get underway in October 2012.

Stressing the importance of modernising the area in a way which would be acceptable to both the authorities and local businesses the mayor said ‘common ground’ was a priority.

The upgrading of the highway in the busy tourist hub in Kato Paphos – which was to form part of a ring road around the town – caused outrage among local businesses.

Local businesses situated along the existing road recently banded together to form STET – a union against the new project – saying the new road would destroy trade. They organised two demonstrations, which closed the entrance to the road.

Vergas said: “We are now working to make a road which will give a solution to the problems facing the area and to present a nice picture to the public.”

He added: “There will be new lighting, two roundabouts and parking facilities and we are also trying to find a way to help the shops there.”

The mayor noted that there was a year before work was due to commence on the road, ample time to ‘come up with a solution.”

According to union members, the mayor requested a meeting with them and confirmed that the new road would not go ahead as a dual carriageway.

Vergas said: “We will be working with the businesses in the Tombs of the Kings Road to come to a common agreement for the area. I met with them recently and I will see them again.”