The Municipality of Amathounta is gradualy implementing the plan to create a pedestrian and cycling route along its entire coastal area and, in a later stage, to connect it with the corresponding routes along the coastal fronts of the Limassol and Kourion municipalities, as foreseen by the Integrated Limassol Development.
As the Mayor of Amathounta, Mr. Kyriakos Xydias, stated to “Entrepreneurial Limassol”, a recent on-site meeting was held with the responsible Urban Planning official regarding the reconstruction of the section of the pedestrian and cycling route from the Crowne Plaza Limassol hotel to the Atlantica Miramare Beach Hotel. For the implementation of the project, which for the most part crosses the well-known “Dasoudi” area on the Germasogia beach and has been pending for years, the Mayor noted that approvals from two government departments are required: the Department of Water Development and the Department of Environment.
“The funds for the execution of the project are included in the 2026 State Budget. The Department of Town Planning and Housing has taken responsibility for securing the approvals, and I am optimistic that a tender for construction work will be announced within the year,” Mr. Xydias said. He also explained that the most recent delay in the tender occurred because it was ultimately decided to carry out the entire project, whereas previously only the Germasogia section was being advanced.
Regarding the most challenging section for the creation of the pedestrian and cycling route, from Atlantica Miramare Beach to Guaba Beach Bar, where the Agios Tychonas coastal route begins, no design has yet been prepared. The Mayor announced that when the tender for the Crowne Plaza–Atlantica Miramare section is announced, design work for this section will also commence. He emphasized that normally the Department of Town Planning and Housing would be responsible for designing this section, as it is part of their duties; however, to save time, the Municipality will also involve the three universities, the University of Cyprus, Cyprus University of Technology (TEPAK), and Frederick University, with which it has agreements for the strategic planning of the city.
Mr. Xydias underlined that in this section there are approximately four interventions from private developments and properties in the beach protection zone, which obstruct the passage of the pedestrian and cycling route. Efforts will be made to address these issues through the forthcoming design. He also noted that this specific section of the project presents the greatest difficulties.
Regarding the Agios Tychonas coastal route, which, as he noted, constitutes a “significant asset of the Municipality of Amathounta,” the Mayor stated that prior to Christmas a meeting took place with the Deputy Minister to the President, Ms. Irene Piki, together with Professor Loukas Dimitriou from the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Cyprus. They presented to the Deputy Minister the modern redevelopment plan for the existing pedestrian route.
“Without changing anything in terms of its size or route, we will renovate it, address the problems and wear that occur over time, enhance it, and resolve safety issues,” explained the Mayor. He added that funding has been requested from the state and a response is awaited, as the design is ready. The matter was initially raised with the President of the Republic by the Mayor; however, due to his absence in Brussels, the meeting took place with Ms. Piki.
“We have submitted the design, it is very good, and we hope that funding will be granted,” he added. Mr. Xydias also reminded that the ultimate goal of any planning is for the coastal pedestrian and cycling route to start from Amathounta and extend to Kourion. For the connection of the pedestrian and cycling routes of the three municipalities (Amathounta, Limassol, and Kourion), there are plans under the Integrated Limassol Development, which the municipalities of Greater Limassol initiated several years ago.
“The three universities, which is why we hired them, will finalize the plans, make them feasible, and fully develop them so that they are no longer just declarations,” concluded Mr. Xydias.
