NEW LAW ON THE USE OF BICYCLES IN FORCE FROM 31 OCTOBER 2018

With effect from October 31, 2018, the provisions of the Regulation of the Cycle Traffic Law (Law 19 (I) / 2018) are in force. The new legislation governs the use of a bicycle on the road network. 

With the new legislation, the following applies: 
1.  It is forbidden to use a bicycle on any motorway or expressway unless it is issued with the permission of the Chief of Police.

2.  The minimum equipment to be fitted to a bicycle shall be determined:  
•  two independent brake systems,  
• a  white or yellow light fitted to the front of the bicycle, visible from a distance of more than 150 meters,  
• a  fixed or flashing red light, at the rear of the bicycle, also visible from a distance of more than 150 meters, 
•  reflectors, 
•  special bellows and  
•  tires in good condition.

3.  Define the obligations of the cyclist when traveling on the road (eg to control the traffic behind him, to comply with traffic signs and traffic lights, to obey signals and instructions from a police officer who regulates traffic movement).

4.  The cyclist's obligation to keep the left-hand side of the road is regulated, provided that he can move anywhere, subject to road traffic regulations and safety requirements.

5.  At the same time, bans are applied to the use of the bicycle (for example, the cyclist does not park, place or leave his bike in a way that prevents or is likely to impede the free movement of other cyclists who are moving or trying to cycling, cycling or cycling trails).

6.  The obligations of drivers of motor vehicles against cyclists on any road and bicycle lane are explicitly defined, such as adapting the speed and the course of their vehicle in such a way as to facilitate the movement of the cyclist and avoid maneuvers in a way that is obstructed the movement of the cyclist or the risk to him.

7.  At the same time it is forbidden to ride a bicycle under the influence of alcohol or narcotics.

It should be noted that by November 15th, police checks on the provisions of the new legislation will be limited to information and suggestions to cyclists and other road users to update and adapt to new data.

 

See in detail the most important provisions of the legislation

REFUSE COLLECTIONS - TALA & KAMARES

Please note that officially the collection days for Tala have not changed and remain  Wednesday and Saturday.    However, unfortunately, it appears that the refuse collectors are having problems with one of their drivers –. who appears to be collecting refuse from some areas on a Friday instead of a Saturday.    We have complained officially about his behaviour, but could I suggest that, where feasible, refuse requiring collection is put out for Friday morning so that collection is made whenever the driver turns up, whether it is Friday or Saturday – I appreciate this is not an ideal situation but does at least ensure collection until the position can be resolved with the driver.   I understand other villages have the same problem where this driver is involved, ie non-collection or collection on a different day to the official collection day.    So far all reports of early collection relate to Friday instead of Saturday - however, if the driver is collecting Wednesday's refuse on a Tuesday as well, please let me know.

DOG LOST IN KAMARES - HAVE YOU SEEN HIM PLEASE?

The above dog has been missing in Kamares since last Friday.

He limps due to an earlier broken front leg which he now doesn't use. 

If you have seen him, please phone 97783384

CYPRUS RECEIVES WARNING OVER RECYCLING FAILURE

Cyprus Mail - article by Katy Turner - 29 October 2018

An early warning has been issued by the European Commission to Cyprus as it is among member states at the greatest risk of failing to meet the EU’s 2020 recycling targets for municipal waste.

The four worst recyclers are Malta, Romania, Greece and Cyprus. In 2016, all four recycled less than 20 per cent of their total waste.

According to Eurostat data in 2016, Cyprus’ municipal waste recycling rate was 17 per cent while the landfilling rate was 75 per cent. The target for 2020 is 50 per cent, rising to 65 per cent by 2035.
In 2016 Europeans generated an average of 480kg of municipal waste per person, 46 per cent of which was recycled or composted, while a quarter was landfilled. But municipal waste represents only around 10 per cent of the total waste generated in the EU.

While the amount of rubbish heading to landfill has dropped in the EU as a whole, standing at 24 per cent in 2016, again Cyprus was way off the target. The target is for only 10 per cent of municipal waste to end up in landfill by 2035.

Construction and demolition produces the most waste in the EU by weight. The 2020 target for this sector is for 70 per cent to be recycled, with over half of states reporting they already do. For the period 2013-15 Cyprus reported that less than 60 per cent was recycled.

It was a similar story for waste electrical and electronic equipment, for which the EU has set a target in 2015 to collect a minimum of 4kg of waste per person, a target which according to the European Commission Cyprus missed by a “considerable margin”. Countries such as Denmark and Sweden collected as much as 12kg.

The early warning report for Cyprus concluded that the island’s continued difficulties in implementing EU waste law are mainly due to the lack of infrastructure and collection systems for recyclables and the lack of coordination between different administrative levels in addition to insufficient capacity. It also pointed out that there were a lack of incentives to prevent waste and improve recycling. Moreover, it said the scheme for packaging waste in Cyprus is not effective and the monitoring and enforcement of its activity is insufficient.

Specifically the report suggested that Cyprus develops a better system to ensure that reporting on packaging recycling by producers putting goods on the market is accurate.

It also suggested the creation of pay as you throw schemes that would include better systems for bio waste, collection of food waste from homes and the creation of green points.

TALA PROJECTS UPDATE

As you are already aware there are a number of projects outstanding for Tala.

1  Completion of Tala Square - Phase II
Finally, Phase I has been signed off by the District Office and their Quantity Surveyors.   Phase II is ready to go out to tender and advices follow once tenders have been received back and a start date is agreed for Phase II to start.

2  Multi-Cultural Centre, Tala
This is the multi-cultural centre intended to be built at the far end of the small car park behind the square.   The project has been 'mature' for a while now [which means it has all the plans and permits in place] and the funding from the District Office should be through in 2019 which will enable building work to start, fingers crossed, some time next year.

3  Road Junction opposite the Pafilia Building Site below the School
Efforts are being made to improve this dangerous junction.  A roundabout has been discounted as it is felt that with access by motorists from a steep road, there is the liklihood that cars may simply drive across the roundabout at great speed, without stopping, or use the roundabout as a launch pad!

Plans are with central Government to improve visibility for road users entering the main road from below the school.   Approval has been granted and work will start once Pafilia complete their project.

4  Pafilia building site below the School
Part of the plans for this site include provision of a public pathway and landscaping from the main road by the Pafilia development up the ravine to the Kindergarten school.  The necessary works will be done by Pafilia as part of the project.

5  Slipping building at the entrance to Kamares
It is hoped that there will be a meeting with the District Office and their engineer on site shortly to see what remedial steps can be taken to improve the situation.   The matter is still ongoing through the courts, but it is hoped that the uneven contours in the road can be evened out, the site fully secured and any loose cement removed.   

As a reminder, if the Courts decide that the building has to be demolished, the demolition and removal of materials will cost well in excess of €200,000 as the waste materials will have to be taken to Limassol for disposal.    

FREE COMPLEX MANAGEMENT SEMINAR -14 November

There will be a free Complex Management Seminar at The Almyra Hotel on 14 November, starting at 5.30pm.

Topics for discussion:

- Communal Buildings
- Formation & Operation of Management Committees
- Financial liabilities [insurance and allocation of communal expenses]
- Swimming Pool licences

Places are limited.  To book your place please email:   events@zambartaslaw.com.cy  BY 1 NOVEMBER AT THE LATEST


http://www.news.cyprus-property-buyers.com/2018/10/23/complex-management-seminar/id=00154869

NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR 11TH HEARTS OF GOLD CYPRUS AWARDS

Cyprus Mail - article by Bejay Browne - 22 October 2018

Nominations of deserving children and adults are now being accepted for the eleventh annual Hearts of Gold Cyprus Awards.

The awards nominations will close at midnight on Tuesday November 20, 2018.

This year’s ceremony will be held in Paphos on Saturday December 1, and successful nominees and a guest will be invited to attend the ceremony and buffet lunch.

Entertainment will include a spectacular performance by Romiosini dance ensemble and other performers. Father Christmas will hand out gifts to the children. The winners are chosen by a panel of judges.

Members of the public wishing to nominate deserving children and adults should request an application form and send it in to the address below.

The 2018 awards celebrate both children and adults that are making a difference in some way, either to the environment, within the community or for charities, are coping courageously with difficult situations, or are an invaluable support to neighbours, friends or family members.

“It is a pleasure to be the patron of these awards that highlight all of the wonderful children and adults living on the island. I encourage members of the public to nominate people they feel are special,” said the patron of the 2018 awards, Charalampous Theopemptou, MP.

The awards started in Paphos 11 years ago and since last year have gone island wide.

There are four main awards in the 2018 programme, along with a number of Honorable Mentions: The adult and junior Hearts of Gold Cyprus Awards, the Jasmitha award for courage, (open to youngsters under 18) and the lifetime achievement award, which may also be given posthumously.

The winner of the adult and junior Heart of Gold Award will receive a commemorative solid gold pin, hand crafted by Aphrodite Jewellers, a certificate, a bouquet of flowers and hand-crafted chocolates.

The adult winner will also receive a weekend stay and dinner at a five-star luxury hotel.

The British High Commissioner, Stephen Lillie, will be a guest judge at this year’s event.

The annual award is supported by Paphos municipality, the British High Commission, Aphrodite Jewellers, Massiva printers, Kivotos Gallery, the Cyprus Mail, The Paphos Post, In Focus films, Rock FM and Joulietta chocolatier and patisserie. 

For further information: www.heartsofgoldcyprus.com

Email: info@heartsofgoldcyprus.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/heartsofgoldcyprus/

STILL CONFUSED ABOUT BREXIT? ASK THE HIGH COMMISSIONER

Cyprus Mail - 28 October 2018

British High Commissioner answers expat questions on Brexit

By Stephen Lillie, British High Commissioner

High Commissioner Stephen Lillie

Thank you for the latest round of questions. Due to space limits, we have not been able to answer all of the enquiries we received this week. We will aim to reply to unanswered questions, as well as new ones that come in, in next week’s column. Many of you have followed the Ministry of Interior’s advice and already begun to file your applications for MEU3s. We understand from the Ministry of Interior that there is currently a four-month waiting period due to the large number of applications from all nationalities across the island. If you have been waiting longer than four months then you can contact them to find out about the status of your applications. We list contact details below. Please note that incomplete paperwork will delay your application being processed.

Please remember to keep checking our Living in Cyprus Guide. You can also sign up for email alerts if you wish to receive a notification when we make updates to the guide. Send your questions to brexit@cyprus-mail.com

I took your advice regarding changing my status to residential even though I already had a yellow slip. I submitted all my documents and paid 20 euros in March and still have not received my certificate. Why it taking so long and no one is telling me if we will come under UK law or EU law regarding making a will.

 Do I need to submit original documents? Why do I need to submit five years’ worth of evidence?

 The form given to me to apply for the MEU3 asks for a copy of the rental agreement which has to be certified and stamped by the revenue officer and also the mukhtar. Our landlord won’t do this as I’m sure many others won’t so how do we get round this problem to obtain the MEU3?

 We have raised the waiting time with the Ministry of Interior Civil Registry and Migration Department. The current waiting time is three to four months due to the volume of applications (from UK and other nationalities) and due to the fact that all applications are sent to one office in Nicosia to be processed. If you have been waiting longer than four months then the Ministry advises that you should call them to check the status of your application in case there are any issues with the documents you submitted. You can get their telephone numbers here:

The Ministry of Interior Civil Registry and Migration Department website lists the recommended documentary evidence required. This includes your rental agreement, utility bills or bank statements. Good quality copies of these documents are required. The key point to note is that you must provide evidence that proves you have been legally residing in Cyprus for at least five years. If you cannot provide this through a rental agreement, then you can use any other document which shows a continuous period of residency of five year in Cyprus. We would always recommend you consult a lawyer for any questions around making a will. We have a list of English speaking lawyers based in Cyprus

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BREXIT – YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED PART 1

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We are UK residents and own a property in Cyprus, which we visit on average twice a year for two month stays (Approximately four months a year in total). We note that there is a 90 day rule, however, is that for total in one year or maximum stay of 90 consecutive days in one visit? We intend to remain UK residents. Do we need to apply for any special visa for Cyprus after Brexit? We also own a car in Cyprus. Would we need to apply for any special permits and driving licences in this respect?

I am a UK citizen, when I holiday in Cyprus, what is my maximum stay each year in Cyprus, before Brexit and after Brexit (and does after mean after March 2019 or after transition period)? And will I need a visa if there is or is not a deal struck. Also will my UK driving licence be valid?

My wife and I are hoping to move to Cyprus next year, probably after March 29, will we still be able to live and work there?

Please refer to our Travel Advice page for anything related to en route to and when in Cyprus. We will keep British nationals fully updated via our Travel Advice pages. British nationals can currently remain in Cyprus, as a temporary visitor, for a maximum of 90 consecutive days. If you intend to stay longer than 90 consecutive days, you must apply for a registration certificate (MEU1).

During the transition period, (March 30, 2019 until December 31, 2020) UK nationals will be able to visit, live and work in the EU broadly as they do now. This includes being able to continue to use your driving licence when you visit Cyprus. If you live in Cyprus, you should only drive with a Cypriot driving licence. Future travel arrangements, i.e. after December 31, 2020, are currently being negotiated as part of our future relationship with the EU.

If there is a “No Deal”, when the UK departs the EU on March 29, 2019, your UK driving licence may no longer be valid by itself when driving in the EU. You may therefore need to obtain an International Driving Permit (IDP) to drive in the EU. From February 1, 2019, the UK government will begin providing IDPs. From this date, you will be able to apply for the 1949 Convention IDP needed for Cyprus at 2,500 Post Offices across the UK. Further information, about driving licences, in the event of a “No Deal” is available here

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BREXIT – YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED PART 2

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Our daughter who is 22 has an MEU1 and is presently on a gap year from university. She lives with us permanently in Cyprus; she cannot apply for an MEU3 as she is not in the tax system, does not have income or bank account. Basically she relies on my wife and me for her upkeep and wellbeing. Please would you advise on her position after Brexit.

 The guidance issued by the Ministry of Interior Civil Registry and Migration Department makes clear that existing family members of UK nationals who are living in a country other than Cyprus on December 31, 2020 (end of the transition period), will be able to reunite in Cyprus with the UK national family member at any time in the future. They will then be eligible to qualify for permanent residence after completing five years of continuous residence.

It seems rather pointless to go through the process now of obtaining an MEU3 when the existing MEU1 gives us effectively the same rights of future residence, the only possible difference being the degree of permanence. 

 Why are you saying I have to change my MEU1 for a MEU3?

 It is a requirement to apply for a registration certificate (MEU1) if you have been in Cyprus for more than 90 consecutive days and are intending to make Cyprus your home. If you have lived in Cyprus for five years or more, the Cypriot Ministry of Interior Civil Registry and Migration Department recommends that you apply for permanent residency (MEU3). We would always recommend that you follow the advice provided by the Cypriot government. Upgrading your MEU1 to a MEU3 will further formalise your residency status, as you will then acquire the right of permanent residence in Cyprus.

I own a property in Deryneia which my partner and I would like to use for nine months of the year staying in Cyprus then coming back to UK for three months. This will not be for another four years, yet will this be possible after Brexit or will we need to look at committing to one side or the other?

During the Transition Period (March 30, 2019 until December 31, 2020), the process for applying for Cypriot residence documents will remain the same as it currently operates. British nationals will also be able to apply for residence documents after the end of the Transition Period, from January 1, 2021. Whilst we do not have all the details at present, the new residency guide issued by the Cypriot Civil Registry and Migration Department does describe the likely requirements and application process. You can access this through our Living in Cyprus Guide.

I am a Cypriot national and I am planning to move to the UK before March 2019 but because of Brexit I want to know what will be my status after March 2019 in case of deal or no deal.

 In the event of a no deal, will a Cypriot driving licence be accepted in the UK?

 Cypriots and their family members who, by December 31, 2020, have been continuously resident in the UK for five years will be eligible for ‘settled status’, enabling them to stay indefinitely. Cypriots and their family members who arrive by December 31, 2020, but will not yet have been continuously resident here for five years, will be eligible for ‘pre-settled status’, enabling them to stay until they have reached the five-year threshold. They can then also apply for settled status. The Prime Minister has confirmed that all EU citizens resident in the UK before March 29, 2019 will be able to stay. To echo her words, “You are our friends, our neighbours, our colleagues. We want you to stay.” Further details can be found here

If the UK leaves the EU with a “No Deal”, arrangements for EU licence holders who are visiting or living in the UK would not change. The UK does not require visiting motorists, for example, those coming to the UK on holiday or who wish to drive on business, to hold a separate International Driving Permit to guarantee the recognition of their driving licence.

Why are the majority of your presentations set so that the working Brits in Cyprus cannot attend?

Feedback from previous events we have organised is that the majority of British residents prefer that our outreach activities do not take place after working hours. However, we welcome different views and if there is demand for additional events including after working hours we will do our best to offer alternative options. For now we have organised one event on November 27 at Peyia from 17:30 until 19:30 and we are looking into the possibility of live streaming at other venues. If anyone is not able to make the outreach events then please send in questions to brexit@cyprus-mail.com

Does a British person with Cypriot origins need to take up Cypriot citizenship in order to be eligible for a Cypriot ID card and Cypriot passport or does having permanent residency status (via MEU3) suffice? Please note that I am of Cypriot origin on my mother’s side, but she was born before 1960 when Cyprus was under British rule and is thus a British citizen like me.

How can I change my passport to Cypriot one and what costs are there and time scale?

We would always recommend that for questions on Cypriot citizenship and passports that you consult the Cypriot authorities who own the policy and are the experts. The Cyprus government does have specific advice, in Greek only, for people who wish to apply for Cypriot citizenship including for those people who are UK citizens. This is available here

We understand that the passport fee for adults is 70 euros. The application form has further detailed information here

STINKING WATER PLAGUING PAPHOS

Cyprus Mail - article by Bejay Browne - 28 October 2018

It tastes earthy and smells foul. Some people won’t even let their dogs drink it.

But while the water pumped into homes along the Paphos coastal belt has nostrils twitching with dismay, it is perfectly safe to consume, the authorities say.

The water’s unpleasant odour and muddy flavour come from harmless bacteria in an organic compound called geosmin. It is common in potable water supplies worldwide and usually breaks down into odourless substances.

But the human nose is very sensitive to even small amounts of geosmin – and the compound is difficult to control.

Tala resident Antonis Limnaios told the Sunday Mail that he has been left with stinking water since the end of August and refuses to drink it, use it to brush his teeth, or give it to his dog to drink.

“It smells terrible, has an earthy, dirty smell to it and seems to have sediment in it. If you have a simple filter it doesn’t do anything. There is no way you would want to drink it, I am buying bottled water all the time which is not ideal,” he said.

The water department acknowledges there has been a problem with smelly water in the area for the past two years, which has now got ‘out of hand’ because of climate change and other reasons.

“It’s not just happening in Cyprus, but everywhere,” a source at the department told the Sunday Mail. The lower levels of the island’s dams are also compounding the situation, he added.

He stressed that although Geosmin produces an earthy, musty smell and taste it is not harmful at levels present in drinking water and that all available studies back this up.

“It is a biological problem caused by types of organisms and microbes.”
Geosmin, which is usually a seasonal problem, cannot be removed from water using normal treatment procedures. The water department is relying on an additional measure, involving the use of ‘activated carbon’, the only technology available. “It helps to minimise [the problem] but not wipe it out,” the water department source said.

Much of Paphos’ water comes from Kannaviou reservoir

Activated carbon, he explained, is an effective ‘adsorbent’ (a substance capable of absorbing other substances) “because it’s a highly porous material and provides a large surface area to which contaminants may adsorb”.

He added: “It has been used for a year now to treat water coming from Kannaviou reservoir which supplies the coastal areas of Paphos.”  This includes the entire area from Kouklia along to Peyia.

“Asprokremmos reservoir is not being used at the moment, but as soon as more ground water is available water will flow into the Xeros river and it will be pumped out. It will help to further improve the quality of the water.”

Limnaios said that the stinky water problem is huge, affecting not only Tala, but friends in Konia, Peyia and Geroskipou. “We also have many water cuts and they don’t tell us anything. Even if you have water, you would not want to drink it.”

Chlorakas resident Amanda Constantinides agrees. “The water smells foul, I quickly spit it out if it goes in my mouth when I’m washing. I would absolutely not drink this water. There is no information available and it’s crazy that we don’t have a normal water supply – it’s 2018 after all.”

The water department source said that with the recent rainfall some groundwater reserves are already increasing slightly and that the water, although foul smelling is perfectly safe to drink.

“If we are lucky we will have rain fall imminently and the fresh water will be added into the mix. Geosmin usually blooms during certain transitional seasons, such as spring to summer and summer to autumn, it’s not usually a permanent thing.”

Although other towns have desalination plants, which help to ease their water situation, this is not the answer, he said, adding that plans to build one for Paphos, the only town without one, are not necessary.

“We have enough water in Paphos and in Cyprus for our needs, it’s a matter of sustainable development. We could build a smaller second reservoir that would collect the overflow from Kannaviou, this would supply two million cubic metres for irrigation.”

He also said that Cyprus could more efficiently recycle water to use in the summer, and that currently overflow water and water that could be recycled is just dumped in the sea.

“If we did this, it equates to more than three million cubic metres a year which is now wasted by dumping it into the sea, we could use this.”