Makarios Avenue shopkeepers blame traffic ban for Nicosia centre decline

Nicosia, Cyprus. A joint platform of shopkeepers on Makarios Avenue said on Friday that reduced vehicle numbers in central Nicosia resulted from what it called the area’s “artificial death”, caused by authorities’ decisions.

The group responded to remarks by Nicosia mayor Charalambos Prountzos concerning possible changes to Makarios Avenue and European Commission funding for the regeneration scheme.

Funding concerns

Prountzos said last week that the transport ministry’s position was that any alteration to Makarios Avenue must first ensure there was no risk of the European Commission reclaiming funding used to co-finance the project.

The shopkeepers’ platform said the European Commission has a mechanism for monitoring projects and imposing financial corrections where agreed sustainability conditions for co-financed urban infrastructure projects are not met.

It said the procedure does not involve arbitrary or direct sanctions, but follows a formal process intended to ensure the proper management of European funds and allow member states to present their views.

Calls for vehicle access

The group said controlled vehicle access reflected the views of residents, shopkeepers and small businesses seeking the restoration of transport links to the city centre.

It argued that the total vehicle ban isolated the area from traffic and, rather than unifying the historic commercial heart with the modern commercial triangle, fragmented the capital’s centre.

According to the group, the restrictions caused financial hardship for businesses in the area and a “dramatic reduction” in turnover.

Traffic and commercial activity

The platform said the road closure did not produce the intended environmental benefits, arguing that traffic was diverted to other routes while the wider city centre suffered what it described as an “artificial death”.

It said the reduction in traffic was directly linked to falling visitor numbers, a lower resident population and employment, and reduced commercial and business activity.

The group added that, despite the area having reopened to traffic, the regeneration project’s main infrastructure elements, including wider pavements and additional trees, remained in place.

Dispute over occupied premises

The shopkeepers disputed Prountzos’ assertion that 70 shops in the area were occupied.

They said the actual number was 42, including two banks and two construction sites for high-rise developments.