The Athienou Municipality has expressed strong disappointment over the continued closure of the Pyroi crossing point, calling on the two leaders and the United Nations to revisit the issue at their upcoming meetings and agree to its immediate opening.
According to a municipal statement, the Athienou Municipal Council held an extraordinary meeting on November 11 to review developments regarding the crossing, which has remained closed for 52 years.
Municipality cites transport isolation
The council said the closure has left Athienou geographically and transport-wise isolated since 1974.
According to the municipality, opening the crossing would reduce travelling time between Athienou and Nicosia from the current 45 to 60 minutes to just eight to 10 minutes.
The council argued that shorter journeys would reduce fuel costs, vehicle wear and travel times for residents commuting to the capital.
Students and families affected
The municipality also noted that many students from Athienou studying in Nicosia are forced to rent accommodation in the capital.
It said that with the opening of the crossing, students could commute daily from their homes, reducing the financial burden on families.
Potential benefits for traffic and healthcare
The council further argued that opening the crossing would help ease congestion at the southern entrance to Nicosia by providing an alternative route for residents from southern and eastern parts of the island.
It also highlighted potential benefits for emergency medical transport, noting that patients currently transported to Nicosia General Hospital may face journeys of up to an hour, compared with an estimated eight to 10 minutes if the crossing were opened.
Economic and social impact
According to the municipality, the opening of the crossing could create additional opportunities for local economic, social and population growth while improving daily life for residents of the wider area.
Call to leaders and the UN
In its concluding statement, the Municipal Council called on the two leaders and the United Nations to place the issue back on the agenda in the coming days.
The municipality said it hopes all sides will take into account the long-standing difficulties faced by residents and reach an agreement on the immediate opening of the Pyroi crossing point.
Source: CNA
