The moment of decisions on how to proceed with the third phase of the works at Agia Fylaxeos in Limassol is approaching, amid divisions over the creation of a roundabout at the intersection of Ayia Fylaxis and Archbishop Makarios C Avenue, in the area of the Laniteia Schools.
The creation of the roundabout, promoted by the Public Works and Urban Planning Departments, has the initial agreement of the Limassol Municipality, while the School Ephorate is of the opposite opinion. The biggest opposition seems to be caused by the fact that in order to complete the project, part of the Laniteion green area will have to be cut off.
A meeting is scheduled for this afternoon to present all the data on the project, to which all the parties involved, the Limassol Municipality, Public Works, the Urban Planning Department, the School Ephorate, and the ETEK have been invited. However, it seems that the Limassol School Ephorate will be absent from today's meeting, making it clear through a letter that it will not participate.
First we have to listen, says the Mayor
In a communication we had with Limassol Mayor Nikos Nicolaides, he told us that the purpose of the meeting is to provide full and objective information on the issue so that all stakeholders can formulate opinions on the basis of full information.
That is why the meeting is being held, he reiterated, to be informed. "So, without being informed of all the facts, how can one make the right decisions?", Nicolaides asked.
Asked to comment on the reactions coming from the Limassol School Ephorate and the letter received, the mayor said he has replied to the letter explaining the above purpose of the meeting. "That is, with full transparency, to have an updated update on all the data in order to make the right decisions," he explained.
Asked about the findings of the SBAK study, which does not foresee the construction of the roundabout, Nicolaides replied that: "we will see this in the afternoon, the technocrats will give us an answer on the SBAK and on everything. Because a decision was made earlier, to give all the new data to evaluate its correctness. That is why we are holding the meeting, we are not technocrats."
"Anyone who wants to be informed should come and listen," Nicolaides stressed."
HTTPS:/CYPRUSTIMES.COM/WP-CONTENT/U...34_1147075976118865_7281150595997604074_N.JPG
The School Board is unanimously opposed
Speaking to the Cyprus[/B] Times[/B] on the issue, the President of the School Boards Dinos Ellinas, points out that the issue finds the School Board unanimously opposed for two reasons:
"First, this is a study that was done 20 years ago for then traffic data and here comes today the official state and the Municipality by extension to implement a decision, a City Council, 20 years ago, while there is a traffic study SBAK that does not mention at all the creation of a traffic hub, but proposes other solutions regarding urban mobility within the city, environmentally friendly and safe movement for citizens and especially for students. Secondly, we disagree because the property we have there is a bequest, a trust, which was given to be part of the activities of the Laniteion Schools housed on that site."
"Also," he continued, "we do not want to destroy such a friendly environment that we created in the Laniteion Park, with playgrounds (and for the disabled). We are talking about destroying more than 60 pine trees and destroying playgrounds, where all of Limassol sees so many hundreds of parents and students spending their afternoons and weekend mornings there, in a safe environment without cars, away from exhaust fumes. This thing bothers us."
He also stressed that there are serious reasons and the SBAK study, which was paid 750 thousand euros by the Limassol Municipality, should be taken very seriously. "But it seems to be ignored," he added. "The proposals made by ETEC, who are experts, who disagree with the creation of a traffic hub, must be taken into account. It is not only us who disagree about the traffic junction but the whole city," added Mr. Ellinas.
And he made it clear that the decision is final and they will follow the legal advice of their lawyer. Asked what the SBAK study provides for the site, Mr. Ellinas replied, "it provides that from Café Pari and below there will be no cars, only buses, bicycles and pedestrians."
Contents of this article including associated images are belongs Cyprus Times
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or Cyprus Times
Source
