The Mayor of Limassol, Mr. Yiannis Armeftis, advocates for revising the plans for the redevelopment of the road at Lady’s Mile with a more holistic approach. This approach should take into account the new realities arising from the Local Government reform and the environmental peculiarities of the broader Akrotiri Peninsula area.
“With the reform, Local Authorities have changed: the Municipality of Kourion now holds the largest area of the Peninsula, the District Local Government Organization is operational with enhanced powers, and the study conducted does not address the issues holistically, as required for this region. It is not enough to just build a road,” said Mr. Armeftis.
The Mayor of Limassol pointed out that an initial meeting and exchange of views on the issue took place at the British Bases, involving himself, the Mayor of Kourion, and representatives of the Bases, regarding the future of the area. He added that he raised the issue of creating a cycling and pedestrian path linking Kourion to Amathus—a proposal he has already promoted—as well as preserving and protecting the eucalyptus grove, the salt lake, and the problems at "Makria Lake." Additionally, he expressed some objections and concerns about the Regulatory Plan presented earlier by the Limassol Municipality’s consultants.
Mr. Armeftis noted that the Municipality of Kourion's proposal to extend the road toward Akrotiri was also discussed, along with the area's importance as a significant habitat protected under the Ramsar Convention. He emphasized that environmental impacts, such as the increased number of visitors, the operating hours of recreation centers, lighting, and music, must be taken into account. “Lady’s Mile belongs to all Limassolians, regardless of the Municipality, and that is why I brought all these issues to the table,” stressed the Mayor of Limassol.
The Mayor of Kourion, Mr. Pantelis Georgiou, stated that the Municipality is proceeding with the development of a strategic plan for the entire Akrotiri Peninsula, which includes reconstructing the road at Lady’s Mile. He clarified that no project is expected to be implemented in the next two years, as the relevant studies need to mature. However, within the next quarter, conclusions on the area's future are expected.
Mr. Georgiou added that the plans will be presented to civil society once decisions are made by the Municipal Councils of Kourion, Limassol, and the British Bases. He also highlighted the Municipality of Kourion's intention to undertake studies for managing increased water flow into the salt lake, as it has caused significant problems in sensitive areas within its jurisdiction. A different perspective was expressed by DYSI MP Mr. Nikos Sykas, who argued that considerable preparatory work has already been done for Lady’s Mile, while the Environmental Impact Assessment study is currently before the Department of Environment for evaluation.
Mr. Sykas emphasized that the previous processes and consultations lasted eight years, and starting a new planning process for the Akrotiri Peninsula would significantly delay progress. He concluded that if the Environmental Impact Assessment is approved by the Environmental Authority, the greater Limassol area must push for a political decision to secure funding for the road redevelopment at Lady’s Mile.
