Newsroom
A coalition of local shopkeepers, residents, and small business owners in Nicosia’s historic shopping district is calling for the city to reopen Makarios Avenue to car traffic immediately. The group, which also includes representatives from the southern part of Makarios Avenue and nearby neighborhoods, insists that restoring vehicle access is essential for the survival of local businesses and the community.
Their statement, signed by spokesperson Antonis Koupparis, emphasizes that reopening the street aligns with a decision already made by the Nicosia Municipal Council. They also want two-way traffic restored on the southern section of the avenue to improve access and ease congestion.
The group says concerns about losing EU funding due to the changes are unfounded, noting they have formally communicated their position to the Parliamentary Transport Committee. They stress that the majority of residents and businesses in the city support reopening the street to cars.
To address traffic and urban planning issues, they have proposed measures such as better traffic rules, expanded pedestrian zones, bike lanes, one-way streets, and efforts to tackle energy poverty.
The coalition argues that focusing on unclear data misses the bigger picture: the decline of small businesses and residents in Nicosia’s commercial core. “Sustainable urban mobility cannot come at the cost of killing off the very heart of our city,” their statement reads.
As a compromise, they’re open to limiting reopening hours from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. instead of early morning to avoid disrupting the “Pame Express” bus service.
The group says they are ready to work with authorities to find practical solutions that balance traffic flow, business needs, and city life.
