A unified rapid response mechanism for managing serious road incidents and restoring traffic flow was at the centre of a meeting held on Tuesday at the Ministry of Justice and Public Order.
The meeting was chaired by Minister of Justice and Public Order Costas Fytiris and was prompted by the prolonged closure of the Nicosia–Limassol motorway following a truck rollover, highlighting the need for faster and better-coordinated handling of similar incidents.
‘NESTOR’ operational plan presented
Following the incident, and on the instructions of the Minister, the Special National Operational Plan “NESTOR” was prepared and presented during the meeting.
The aim of the plan is to coordinate all relevant services, ensure the rapid mobilisation of personnel and equipment, and restore traffic safely within the shortest possible time.
The road incident response mechanism will involve, depending on the circumstances, the Police, Fire Service, Ambulance Service, Public Works Department, Road Transport Department, Civil Defence, District Administrations, as well as specialised private sector operators where necessary.
Faster action from the first minutes
A key provision of the plan is the immediate mobilisation of the necessary services and resources from the first minutes of a serious incident.
This will allow rescue operations, securing the area, removing vehicles or cargo, clearing the road surface and managing traffic to be carried out in a coordinated manner, reducing disruption as much as possible.
The plan also places emphasis on ensuring the immediate availability of necessary equipment, including specialised machinery from private companies when required.
Public updates and traffic management
Another important part of the planning focuses on traffic management and providing timely, continuous information to the public about affected routes, alternative options and progress in restoring normal traffic conditions.
Relevant authorities discussed the plan and exchanged views on its implementation. “NESTOR” will now be sent to all involved services for comments and recommendations before its final approval and introduction.
Also read: Authorities deploy rapid response teams following motorway chaos
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