On Thursday, September 19th, Limassol’s Mayor Yannis Armeftis voiced strong opposition to the proposal of creating dedicated bus lanes along the seafront of the city. According to the Mayor, approving this initiative would harm Limassol, as it would likely create more traffic congestion rather than alleviate it.
Armeftis argued that instead of improving traffic flow, the proposed bus lanes would exacerbate the city’s already significant traffic issues. Additionally, the installation of these lanes could threaten the existence of small businesses on Despina and Nikos Pattihi Streets. He also expressed concerns that the construction of safety islands for pedestrians would obstruct emergency vehicles, potentially delaying medical services to patients in these areas.
On the other hand, the Ministry of Transport reminded that this decision contradicts the Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan (SUMP), which is a cornerstone of European urban mobility policy. The European Commission strongly recommends that all cities implement the SUMP concept. Its goal is to improve the quality of life for residents, address key issues such as traffic congestion, air pollution, noise, climate change, road safety, and parking.
However, Mayor Armeftis remained firm in his stance. He emphasized that a comprehensive plan addressing traffic issues in Limassol should go far beyond just creating bus lanes and should focus on broader solutions.
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