With the installation of three kilometres of safety barrier at a cost of €120,000, the Department of Forests aims to deter illegal activities that have been recorded over time at Athalassa Park, such as poaching, dumping of waste, uncontrolled vehicle movement, the creation of off-road routes by 4x4 vehicles and quad bikes, and illegal logging. The project will be implemented in three areas of the park and the barriers will be 75 cm high.
The Department of Forests is proceeding with the permanent demarcation of Athalassa National Forest Park through the installation of a metal safety barrier with a total length of three kilometres. For this purpose, it has launched a tender for a project with an estimated cost of €120,000, excluding VAT.
Responding to a question from Politis, the Department noted that the aim of the demarcation is to contribute “to the prevention of illegal activities that have been identified over time in the park, such as poaching, dumping of waste, uncontrolled movement of wheeled vehicles, the creation of uphill routes by 4x4 vehicles and quad bikes, illegal logging, etc.”
In addition, the Department points out that the specific works will permanently establish the demarcation line of the park, with the aim of preventing and avoiding unintentional or intentional interventions within state forest land.
Why a metal barrier
As regards the reasons why this solution was selected, the Department explained that previous attempts to demarcate the park, either through fencing or embankments, did not fully serve their purpose. For this reason, it stressed, the choice of a safety barrier was considered the most appropriate solution for achieving the intended objectives.
“The barrier constitutes a durable structure that is difficult to vandalise, does not deteriorate over time, requires no maintenance, is installed easily and quickly, has a low profile and does not cause significant visual impact and, finally, allows for the unobstructed and safe passage of all types of fauna to and from the park,” the Department of Forests notes.
In three areas
The project will be implemented in three areas of the park. The final determination of the areas and the exact route for the installation of the barrier will be decided after the award of the tender. Should the use of an excavator be required to level the ground, the Department of Forests will undertake the work using its own machinery, in coordination with the contractor.
The barrier system will consist of double-wave beams (W section) fixed to posts, which in turn will be anchored to the ground. The safety barriers will be single-sided and will be installed with a post every four metres and a height of 75 cm from the ground to the top surface.
According to the tender documents, interested economic operators must take into account that the route of the project does not consist entirely of straight sections but follows an irregular shape. In some areas, it may be necessary to adjust the length of the barrier so that it accurately follows the park boundary on the ground.
Although in most parts of the project the barriers will be installed on earthen surfaces, the interested economic operator is required to study the subsoil along the entire route and take into account that hard rock may be encountered in certain locations. In such cases, drilling of the rock will be required and the posts will have to be fixed with concrete of category C20/25, as stated in the tender documents.
Terms and restrictions
At the same time, the Department of Forests sets out terms and restrictions for the execution of the works. Among other things, drilling or cutting of beams or posts is not permitted without prior approval from the supervising forestry officer. The use of flame is not permitted for this purpose.
If the use of an abrasive cutting tool is required, the supervising forestry officer must be notified in advance and the work must always be carried out in the presence of a fire engine. In cases where approval is granted for cutting or drilling beams or posts, galvanisation of the exposed surfaces must be carried out.
Under no circumstances will the complete closure of the road or any section of it be accepted. The Department of Forests also requests that special care be taken to apply appropriate road safety measures, ensuring the safety of passing vehicles and pedestrians.