A pivotal decision was made on Thursday evening, May 14, by the Nicosia Municipal Council, voting to lift the ban on private vehicle access along Makariou Avenue—a move long requested by local business owners, who had argued that the previous traffic regulations limited accessibility and harmed commercial activity.

The approved proposal allows all private vehicles to enter the stretch between the intersections of Makariou–Spyrou Kyprianou and Makariou–Evagorou, from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. daily. This modifies the current arrangement, which had restricted access to authorized vehicles and public transport only. However, nighttime restrictions will remain in place to preserve the avenue’s urban character and protect nearby residents’ quality of life.

The decision came down to two competing proposals. The one ultimately approved was submitted by the Democratic Rally (DISY) and supported by council members from EDEK, ELAM, and DIKO. It called for fully reopening the avenue to general traffic, effectively reinstating the previous traffic regime. The opposing proposal, submitted by Nicosia Mayor Charalambos Prountzos, aimed to maintain the existing system, and received only one vote—his own.

The DISY-backed plan also includes the reopening of Mnasias and Bouboulinas streets to improve traffic flow and ease congestion in the broader area. For weekends, however, the current restrictions—allowing only authorized vehicles—will remain in effect.

Mayor Prountzos expressed disappointment with the outcome, stating that his more balanced compromise proposal was ultimately altered beyond recognition. He had originally suggested allowing broader access on weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., while maintaining pedestrian-only access on weekends, with exceptions for residents and business owners.

His initial plan also included restrictions on older vehicles, limiting access on northern Makariou to cars less than 20 years old during weekdays, full pedestrianization on weekends, and prioritization of the Pame Express public transport service during peak hours.

“While some elements of my proposal were adopted,” the mayor stated, “the final decision expanded access hours to 7:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m. and added the reopening of Bouboulinas Street—fundamentally altering the core of the original idea.”

He reiterated his long-standing position, warning that any changes that risk violating EU funding agreements or contractual commitments must be carefully considered: “This was my position before the elections, and I remain consistent.”

At present, traffic rules on Makariou Avenue remain unchanged. Mayor Prountzos clarified that implementation of the new plan requires formal approval by the Chief of Police and the Traffic Regulation Authority. The matter will also be referred to the Directorate-General for Development, which provided EU funding for the original project.

The reversal aligns with the demands of most business owners operating on and around Makariou Avenue. Speaking to Offsite News, Phanos Leventis, President of the Association of Leisure Centers, argued that the initial traffic regulations were misguided and negatively impacted commercial activity by making the area less accessible.

“People didn’t know where they could park or how to even reach Makariou on foot,” Leventis said. “It was a major mistake from the start. Hopefully, this new decision will prove effective and justify the business community’s concerns.”