Filenews 21 January 2023 - by Vassos Vassiliou
In what is otherwise a European country, in Cyprus the condition of several roads is more reminiscent of the road network before the independence of the Republic of Cyprus and it is doubtful whether there is even one road that is without blemish.
Among the problems observed are subsidence, cracks, holes, small and large schisms, detachment of the road surface, etc. Moreover, the situation for drivers is aggravated by the fact that many roads have been fitted with bumps/curves or even elevated pedestrian crossings from which either the special paint that is placed was detached or simply because of the heavy use the markings are not visible, which is not only dangerous for drivers but especially for pedestrians.
Another phenomenon observed is schisms, mainly not those created over time but those planned to place various services of telecommunications companies, etc. These specific intersections are presented perpendicular or diagonally to the roads, in which anomalies are created.
The finding of the prevailing situation mainly concerns the roads within the boundaries of the Local Authorities and there is literally not a single municipality in which the roads do not present problems. Some believe that the fact that the elections for local rulers will be held in 2024 is related to the situation. In fact, some of these roads are also dangerous, considering that there are dangerous spots on the roadway, not to mention the damage they gradually cause to vehicles.
The situation on interurban roads or roads of primary importance, which are under the supervision of the Department of Public Works, is maintained in better condition, although in the past subsidence or destruction of the road surface has been observed, either due to poor workmanship or due to the passage of heavy vehicles or for other reasons. It is recalled that problems on interurban roads were observed even on large bridges.
However, most problems are observed within cities to the point that many consider that the treatment by local authorities verges on indifference. As citizens reported to "F", in some cases roads are paved at various points due to the great insistence of citizens who repeatedly "disturb" the municipal officials. It is worth noting that there are cases when citizens find that some holes are closed even with cement.
It is also noted that the control and maintenance of roads sometimes falls under the Department of Public Works, sometimes in the municipalities, while in the communities the competent Authority is the District Officer.
Rural roads, in particular, are obviously in a worse condition and in some cases the roads are improved as part of the construction of intercity roads that either cross communities or because they are very close to them.
Conservative municipalities, waiting for reform
And while in general many roads have their problems, in some cases the road surface is removed and a new paving is made on roads where, based on the planning, the start of widening and improvement works is imminent, so the question arises, why the expense / waste of money?
Local rulers suggest that in some cases it is economically more advantageous to make temporary repairs than to dismantle a road that presents problems that "endure" until the time comes for a more general coating. Others cite difficulties in the production of bitumen. There are also the Local Authorities who believe that the Municipalities should operate conservatively until the reform is implemented, at which point there will be a better allocation of resources which, they estimate, will increase allowing the implementation of projects.
BEHIND THE LINES
In their old shoes
Roads must be maintained, first and foremost to avoid accidents and especially fatal ones, but at the same time public money must be protected, which means that the road surface must neither be unnecessarily replaced nor left to the mercy of time. At this stage, probably the second is happening. The phenomenon is observed in all municipalities and if this happens in Nicosia, one can understand what is happening on the streets of other cities. The other aspect concerns the sewing-up to serve either public or private services. And it really is irritating to see scattered repairs everywhere, which, among other things, betray a lack of coordination or even indifference to who ultimately pays the price, who is none other than the taxpayer.
