Filenews 18 February 2022 - by Angelos Nikolaou
Green light for the construction of a heliport in an area of the community of Linos, in the industrial area of Troodos. The Environmental Authority with a reasoned finding examined the environmental impact of the project at the request of the Police and does not object to the construction of the heliport under the terms and conditions it set.
The project is located north of the Troodos mountain range, at the base of the Valleys of Solea and Marathasa. The construction site of the project is of strategic importance due to its proximity to the massif and the forests of Pafos, Troodos and Brothers, as well as the long distance from the airports of Larnaca and Paphos and the British Base of Akrotiri, which act as refuelling bases for helicopters in cases of extraordinary events.
The helipad will include a helicopter landing and take-off area, two other parking spaces and small-scale building facilities for staff rest. In the southern part of the plot there will be excavation and its products will be used for backfilling if they are suitable, according to the recommendations of the Geological Survey Department. In the northern part of the plot, no works will be carried out at this stage and the site will remain as it is. The medium voltage cables located along the main road will be undergrounded by the Electricity Authority of Cyprus.
The helipad will be used by police helicopters for the needs of the Police Department of Morfou, as well as the Fire Brigade, the Department of Forests and other Services, for firefighting purposes and search and rescue operations, mainly in the Troodos area, for faster response and reduction of the air ambulance time of rescued persons. It will be used in emergency cases and periodically in preparedness exercises of these Services. In the area there will be the possibility of refuelling the helicopters with tankers, in accordance with the safety protocol. The helipad will also provide the possibility of using it during the evening hours.
