Poseidonos Avenue is further disrupted

DISGRUNTLED TAXI drivers held up traffic on the Paphos sea front yesterday, closing the road for 30 minutes over their objections to the new logistical arrangements as a result of the area’s upgrading.

Among their gripes are the number of taxi spaces in the new cab rank and plans for a bus stop, which they say will affect their business.

Andreas Zachariah, the president of the Paphos taxi drivers, said they had been promised taxi ranks would provide parking for 15 cars, and the new ones are too small.

He warned today’s gathering was only the first step and threatened more action in the future.

Mayor of Paphos Savvas Vergas went to the area immediately to try and calm the situation.

Vergas agreed he had witnessed a number of problems since the decision to open the area to traffic had been taken and assured he would endeavour to resolve the problems by meeting with all the necessary professionals.

Poseidonos Avenue is now open to one-way traffic. Two opposing groups have emerged over the last few months, namely those in favour of opening the road to traffic and those who wished it to remain as a pedestrianised zone.

Vergas has come under increasing pressure from both sides.

Many people, including the mayor, believe the area should be a car-free zone, with pedestrians able to stroll along the seafront and enjoy the experience, without the threat of rumbling traffic. But a recent council vote decided to allow the street to open.

Metal posts were installed to mark out a single-track road, on which protesters recently placed funeral wreathes, as a symbolic gesture.

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