Ramps to cut speed outside schools

SPEED bumps are to be laid down in front of some 50 primary and secondary schools across the island in an effort to force passing cars to put the breaks on.

According to Communications Minister Averoff Neophytou, the long-term plan is to protect students by having such speed breaks installed outside every school.

A number of schools have already built speed bump systems outside their front gates and the government is now to provide ready funds for the system to be used far more widely.

Neophytou yesterday discussed the issue with representatives of 50 municipalities and village authorities.

Any local authority presenting approved plans for speed bump systems by the end of September will be entitled to a full government subsidy, Neophytou said after the meeting.

“Every municipality, every community, from this moment has the authorisation from us to go ahead and carry out works on the basis of plans that have been drawn up by the Public Works Department and any community authority or municipality that has completed these plans by the end of September will get the full amount they need to implement them,” the Minister said.

Speed bumps increase safety levels by making it impossible for drivers to speed past school gates, Neophytou said.

“With these measures you cannot drive with excessive speed. Even if someone wants to, he can’t,” Neophytou said.

The municipal and village representatives at yesterday’s meeting welcomed the government handout as a big step forward.

The speed bumps are to be accompanied by pavements and proper signposting outside school gates.

Cyprus has the third worst road death rate in Europe.

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