Paphos-Polis motorway divides opinion as tensions rise

BirdLife Cyprus hit back on Thursday at criticism over its petition to stop the Paphos to Polis highway, saying it was important to have a serious discussion over the controversial project.

“It’s sad that it’s often impossible to have serious debate on serious issues,” Martin Hellicar of BirdLife Cyprus told the Cyprus Mail.

“The move by the council of ministers to declare the road a public interest project is a dangerous precedent and there are clear alternatives to building a new highway such as expanding existing roads.”

Hellicar was responding to local media reports that described a “tsunami of local reaction” to the 2,500 signature petition put forward by Birdlife to prevent the construction of the 31 kilometre road on environmental grounds.

The BirdLife petition was handed over to deputy minister to the president Vasilis Palmas at the Presidential Palace on Tuesday.

The deadline for state tenders to be submitted is on Friday.

Paphos Diko MP, Charalambos Pittokopitis, claimed the timing of the petition was suspicious and that the petition was a hostile action against Paphos.

A group called the Youth of Polis Chrysochou issued a strongly worded statement against Birdlife saying “it’s illegal and undemocratic. They would like to present themselves as representatives of the local community, but they engage in fake news and disinformation.”

“Well, they’ve had roads built to their holiday homes, but when it comes to giving life to Polis Chrysochous – they don’t want that road built,” said Chrysanthos Savvides from Diko’s executive office.

Hellicar said BirdLife Cyprus was not an extreme organisation.

“As far as I know there is no ecological group in Cyprus that is opposed to development, but we must take nature into account,” he said.

He emphasised the need to act in accordance with EU legislation – namely the Bird’s Directive (adopted in 1979) and the Habitat’s directive (adopted in 1992).

The road linking Polis and Paphos has been planned for decades but was put on hold in the aftermath of 2013 financial crisis. The first phase (half the highway) is estimated to cost 70m euros. This amount does not include the added cost of land expropriation.

The motorway will require at least five bridges and two tunnels, according to BirdLife.

Birdlife pointed out that the road will dissect untouched landscape which includes Ezousa Valley which is a Natura 2000 protected site.

BirdLife said the massive development will threaten iconic bird species such as the Bonelli’s Eagle Aquila, the Long-legged Buzzard Buteo, the Peregrine Falcon, the European Roller, as well as the endemic species of Cyprus Wheatear and Cyprus Warbler.

Tensions are rising as the two opposing sides have vastly different visions of the future of Cyprus. Proponents of the motorway hope it will help the economy grow and make local communities more vibrant.

Conservationists claim that protecting the eco-biology of Cyprus and sustainable development are both possible.

“Our vision of Cyprus is sustainable development, not concrete,” said Hellicar.

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