It is imperative to provide, based on a study, a comprehensive solution to the problems of the coastal pedestrian pathway of Agios Tychonas, according to two Limassol MPs of the parliamentary committee responsible for Tourism, after a recent on-site visit. The Committee will invite, around mid-January, the Ministries of Interior and Finance, the Deputy Ministry of Tourism, the Community Council of Agios Tychonas, tourism operators and the Limassol Chamber of Commerce and Industry to discuss the issue.
The situation on the pathway is quite unacceptable, not only because it is eroded by weather phenomena, but also because of the image of the surrounding areas, cleanliness, green areas and many more, MP Nikos Sykas told us. He pointed out that the area is the ‘lung’ of the five-star hotels of Limassol and the image that visitors get is of "infinite beauty!!!".
Mr. Sykas stressed that unified management of the whole area is required and that it should be placed among the priorities of the first Mayor of Eastern Limassol (to be elected in June 2024) to be permanently solved, because, as he characteristically said, "[the way is it now] it is only for crying". He argued that the local authority can manage it, as long as there is support, and the required sensitivity, from government departments. He pointed out that an effort is being made by the Community Council to clean and beautify the place, but erosion has not been tackled holistically to date and "we are only patching up".
Nikos Sykas argued that a serious study should be carried out that will cover the entire pedestrian pathway, also taking into account its extension to the Municipality of Germasogeia which is to begin shortly. He indicated that Parliament does not have an executive role, but will push for solutions to be found and will bind those responsible with timetables. "The essence is to start the effort with good will from the competent authorities and it may be necessary to classify this an Urban Planning project due to its importance," he concluded.
The walk of MPs on the pedestrian pathway revealed two serious issues, according to MP Costas Costa. The first is that the pathway is destroyed when there is rough seas and that there are already three places where this has happened for some time, without the competent authorities repairing it. He recalled that in the past there were the same problems further east and it took a long time to fix them.
Costas Costa stressed that priority should be given to beach protection projects and, if necessary, additional breakwaters. As well as that there is an issue of poor workmanship regarding the construction of the pathway since there is damage to parts of it, which had been repaired in the past.
According to Mr. Costa, the second problem is the unacceptable image faced by those who walk there, Cypriots and foreign visitors alike. Since, apart from dirt and pruning leftovers, there are accesses to the beach with steps destroyed or lost in the soil. Retaining walls that instead of being landscaped are left with visibly oxidized metals and public showers, which "are a disgrace", with oxidized pipes, without any infrastructure for the bather.
Costas Costa spotted an image of abandonment in the Sailing Center as well, with green spaces that should be planted now filled with dried grass, and trees that have never been watered, causing them to dry out. He stressed that this image is not appropriate for Limassol, which contributes 36% to GDP and receives high-level tourism. "In other cities there are pedestrian coastal pathways that you enjoy walking, while here we have a pedestrian pathway literally next to or above the sea, that presents a really bad picture," he stressed.
Costas Costa identifies responsibilities to the state, local authorities and the Deputy Ministry of Tourism, so the relevant parliamentary committee will discuss the issue with all stakeholders, so that with wider planning everything necessary can be done to ensure that everybody will really walk on the pedestrian pathway and enjoy it. "It needs radical reconstruction and must be properly managed throughout its extent," he stressed, adding that Parliament will do everything it can to help.
