Last week, out of the blue, Nicosia municipal council voted to change the regime governing the lower part of Makarios avenue in Nicosia. This is the part that is closed to all vehicles except buses and taxis. The council voted that the road would open on weekdays from 7am to 9pm and close again on Saturday and Sunday when there is less traffic in the capital. For the road to open to all cars, the chief of police, Themistos Arnaoutis, who has the final say, will have to give his approval.

All pressure is now on the police chief. Opponents of the municipality decision such as the Greens and the technical chamber Etek are now urging Arnaoutis not to give his approval. There is a lot of confusion about the reasons for opening the road, with opponents arguing that this was being done because of pressure from shop owners who believe the return of private cars to Makarios avenue would increase their business. The low number of visitors has nothing to do with the car ban as there is ample parking adjacent to the street; Ledra and Onasagorou streets which are pedestrianised are heaving with people seven days a week.

Councillors, who have voted for the opening, argue that this is necessary to ease the traffic congestion leaving the centre of town and the detours drivers have to take, heading in and out of the centre. Makarios avenue was vital for the smooth flow of traffic in the centre of the capital, and the EU’s ‘urban mobility’ policy was making life more difficult for residents. They still had to use a car to get around, because public transport was very basic, but were spending much longer in the car to get from A to B, producing more emissions and using more fuel.

The Greens do not share these views claiming, quite ludicrously, that the opening of the road would undermine the steps for a “more human and viable town” and “would sacrifice public health, road safety and quality of life”. This does not stand up to rational scrutiny. Are the Greens seriously suggesting that keeping cars off a 1km stretch of road in the centre of town improves public health and quality of life?  

A more persuasive argument cited by the Greens for not opening the road, is that the EU, which co-funded the urban mobility project, will demand the return of its money, said to be about €25m. Surely if a study was carried out explaining the negative consequences of keeping the road closed, such as more carbon emissions on surrounding roads, more fuel used for longer journeys we might not have to pay back the full amount.

But a study must be done before a final decision is taken. Perhaps Arnaoutis will have one done to establish whether the flow of traffic will improve if Makarios avenue is opened. The final decision must be based on this.