Will it last this time?
TRAFFIC cameras won’t return to Cyprus roads until 2010 – but when they do, they will be placed at different spots based on the recommendations of Traffic Police.
A total of 460 cameras are expected to start running in three stages and will be strategically placed in traffic accident hotspots in a bid to increase road safety on the island.
“According to information I received from the Electromechanical Services, it is expected that the tender process will be initiated by the end of the month. The police has prepared a list of sites where the cameras should be installed, after a review of the chart that was prepared two years ago,” said Demetris Demetriou, Director of Traffic Police Department.
“From then on, the camera installation is just a procedural matter. We estimate that the cameras will be installed in Cypriot roads within 2010.”
The new list of sites where traffic cameras will be placed include the Paphos-Coral Bay Road, the Polis Chrysochous road, Griva Digeni Avenue in Nicosia and Amathunda Avenue in Limassol.
The old camera system was deactivated amid controversy in September 2007 after the government pulled out of a contract with the supplier after negotiations to fix technical problems collapsed.
In the wake of the decision, taken by then Transport Minister Maria Malaktou-Pamballi, technicians were ordered to deactivate the cameras several months after they were in operation.
Electromatic Consultants Ltd, the company who landed the contract for the installation and maintenance of some 440 cameras across the island, is in the process of suing the government for breach of contract.
The project’s legal aspect was discussed at a recent meeting between the Attorney General Petros Clerides with the Minister of Communication and Works. The meeting was deemed necessary due to the legal action taken by the initial contract-holder Electromatic.
The company had secured a contract on a one-year trial basis to install fixed and mobile cameras starting from October 2006.
Before the one year trial period expired, however, the state chose to terminated the contract due to the many unresolved problems with the camera system.
Problems included the failure of the cameras to properly store photographs on the hard drive, which meant that while some offenders got away, others were charged twice for the same offence.
In last week’s meeting the possibility of re-negotiating a contract with Electromatik was discussed, but the idea was reportedly abandoned due to legal complications. It is expected that the project will cost approximately €30 million.
