The Latsia-Geri municipality is removing 36 speed bumps from roads in the two municipal districts at a total cost of €130,000, with the Transport Ministry covering half the bill.
The work follows an assessment of local needs and consultation with the relevant central authority. Speaking to Sigma TV’s Mesimeri kai Kati programme, Mayor Christos Pittaras said the work had already begun.
The municipality is targeting speed bumps considered unnecessary or excessive in number at certain points. However, the decision does not mean all speed bumps will be removed, particularly near schools, churches and other gathering places where they remain necessary for public safety.
20 speed bumps removed in Latsia and 16 in Geri
According to Pittaras, 20 speed bumps are being removed in Latsia and another 16 in Geri.
The assessment will continue, and further removals remain possible if the municipality finds that some structures no longer serve a practical purpose.
The mayor explained that many speed bumps were installed years ago following complaints from residents. In some neighbourhoods, circumstances have since changed, including cases where children who originally needed the added protection have grown older.
Pittaras stressed that removing existing speed bumps does not rule out installing new ones elsewhere. The aim is to make decisions based on actual needs, balancing road safety with residents’ access to neighbourhoods and public spaces.
Drivers warned against speeding
The mayor warned drivers not to treat the removal of speed bumps as an opportunity to drive faster.
The municipality has already received complaints that some motorists have increased their speed on roads where the structures have been removed.
The municipality has therefore coordinated with the Police Headquarters’ Traffic Department, which will monitor the situation and report drivers who exceed speed limits.
Officials will also reassess the impact of the changes on traffic to determine whether the removals are achieving their intended purpose.
Transport Ministry to cover half the €130,000 cost
The removal of the 36 speed bumps will cost €130,000, with the Transport Ministry covering 50% of the expense under an arrangement reached with former Transport Minister Alexis Vafeades.
Pittaras said the original construction of the speed bumps had cost approximately €3,000 to €4,000 each, with some reaching €5,000. The cost varied depending on the location and whether additional measures, such as road markings or raised crossings, were included.
He noted that the money now being spent to remove the structures could otherwise have funded projects such as road resurfacing. The current works involve spending public funds to remove infrastructure that had itself required investment in previous years.
However, he emphasised that public safety and convenient access to neighbourhoods and public spaces remain the municipality’s priorities.
Roads reopened after removal works
Pittaras said the road section where work was under way was expected to reopen to traffic by the end of the day. At another location, the remaining work involved resurfacing the road after a speed bump had been removed.
The municipality aimed to complete the works as quickly as possible because the Meteorological Service had forecast rain.
The assessment will continue, with further decisions on removing speed bumps or introducing other road-safety measures to depend on the findings.
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