Traffic jams in Limassol. Businesses propose blocking the roundabout.

Limassol's traffic jams and the lack of anticipated road investments could lead to a protest at one of the city's main roundabouts. The president of the local Chamber of Commerce and Industry is proposing a two-hour blockade on Saturday, November 14, between 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

Discussions regarding protest actions are scheduled for today, Friday, November 6. Agia Fyla or Agios Athanasios roundabouts are being considered, but a final decision on the organization of the protest and its location has not yet been made.

Traffic jams in Limassol cause protest

The proposal was presented by Andreas Tsouloftas, president of the Limassol Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He announced that he would discuss it during a meeting with mayors from the metropolitan area.

According to him, the idea is met with understanding from local government officials. The protest is intended to draw the government's attention to growing traffic problems and dissatisfaction with the allocation of investment funds in the draft state budget for 2027.

Tsouloftas emphasizes that the overloaded infrastructure is disrupting the daily lives of residents and businesses. He believes the city needs specific deadlines for the completion of the work, which local institutions have been pushing for for years.

Dispute over investment money

The president of the chamber claims that of the approximately EUR 1.5 billion earmarked for development projects, only 3.8%, or approximately EUR 57 million, will be allocated to Limassol.

This is his assessment of the distribution of expenditures, not the city's share of the entire state budget. According to Tsouloftas, the investments included primarily concern school buildings, while the large-scale road projects desired by local communities are missing.

Responding to the argument that projects must first be properly prepared, he points to the responsibility of the government administration. He also notes delays related to land acquisition, documentation preparation, and coordination between ministries.

Over 100,000 vehicles per day

Tsouloftas also cited traffic volume data on the highway in the Limassol region. According to him, Department of Public Works measurements at the beginning of the year showed approximately 96,000 vehicles per day, while in October the figure rose to approximately 104,000.

This would represent an increase of approximately 8,000 vehicles, or more than 8%. These figures were presented by the chamber's president; they do not reflect the number of different cars or people commuting to the city.

The problem also has an economic dimension. Tsouloftas warns that deteriorating daily operating conditions could make it harder to attract foreign companies and retain those already operating in Limassol.

They demand a timetable, not one-time billions

According to the chamber's president, Limassol's investment needs amount to approximately €2 billion. However, he emphasizes that this isn't about spending the entire amount in one year, but rather about gradually launching and completing projects over a longer period.

Local groups are primarily seeking binding commitments and timelines. Tsouloftas hasn't ruled out re-applying to the President of the Republic if talks with the government fail to yield concrete results.

The result of Friday's match remains crucial for the drivers. There is currently no basis to treat the blockade on November 14 as a confirmed road closure.