A serious and long-running traffic problem at a large school area in Nicosia was discussed in parliament. The issue, which affects over 1,200 students every day, has become a major safety concern. Officials warn that if an emergency happened, ambulances or fire engines might not be able to get through.
The problem occurs at a complex shared by Acropolis Gymnasium, The English School, and its Junior School. All three schools use the same entrance on Presidential Palace Avenue during the busy morning and afternoon periods. This causes major traffic jams. Cars can be stuck for several minutes at the important junction near the Agrotis bookshop.
A member of parliament, Chryssis Pantelides, raised the issue. He asked what would happen if an emergency vehicle needed to reach the schools, highlighting that this is more than just an inconvenience.
This traffic crisis is not new. The Ministry of Transport says possible solutions have been studied three times by a technical committee, but nothing has been done. One reason is bureaucracy and a lack of money. For example, the local municipality once could not find €10,000 needed for an important land survey. Also, police-approved plans from six years ago to widen the roads at the junction have not been acted upon.
Now, different groups are trying to find answers. The Nicosia School Board has promised to pay for and complete the necessary land survey within two months. They have also suggested new measures for 2024, like building a pedestrian bridge and creating more parking. At the same time, The English School is independently considering changing its daily start time to reduce pressure during the peak hour.
Politicians have asked for an update on progress by mid-January. However, a large construction solution near the Presidential Palace is delayed. For now, people hope the new survey and a possible change to the school schedule will bring some relief to this frustrating situation.