Newsroom
The NESTOR Plan was put into operation for the first time on Thursday following a serious road accident involving a heavy truck and a private vehicle, putting into practice a new procedure designed to restore traffic quickly after major incidents on Cyprus motorways.
The plan was developed after an earlier serious accident left a motorway closed for around seven hours. Its purpose is to establish a coordinated response between the Police, relevant public services and private contractors so that damaged vehicles, spilled cargo and other obstacles can be removed as quickly and safely as possible.
The Ministry of Justice and Public Order said the first activation of NESTOR resulted in an immediate and coordinated response by the authorities and private-sector teams involved in dealing with the crash.
How the NESTOR Plan works
Under the system, the Traffic Police and the relevant local police station coordinate the response at the scene and organise the different operations required to reopen the road.
This includes arranging specialist equipment to remove vehicles, bringing in private contractors to clear material from the carriageway and managing traffic while the road remains obstructed.
The approach is particularly important when an accident involves heavy vehicles or large quantities of cargo, since clearing the scene can require specialised machinery and several different teams working together.
Thursday's crash presented exactly that kind of challenge. The truck had overturned while carrying a load of gravel and was also towing a second articulated trailer. Its size, configuration and cargo made removing it considerably more complicated than dealing with a conventional vehicle.
Following the accident, the spilled gravel was cleared from the road with assistance from a private contractor. Private cranes were then used to remove the vehicles involved.
At the same time, Police officers managed traffic and directed motorists onto alternative routes while clearance operations were underway.
The Ministry said the coordinated operation demonstrated how the NESTOR system is intended to function when a major incident creates a significant obstruction on the road network.
The plan was introduced specifically in response to the difficulties experienced during the previous incident, when motorists faced a motorway closure lasting approximately seven hours.
Following Thursday's operation, the Ministry praised the Police, the public services involved and the personnel responsible for coordinating the response. Private contractors who assisted with clearing the accident scene were also thanked.
The Ministry said the experience showed the importance of having clear responsibilities, rapid coordination and access to both public resources and private-sector equipment when dealing with complex road accidents.
