Filenews 23 May 2021 - by Dora Christodoulou
A huge project promotes Paphos, Geroskipou and Chrysochous Town, in an effort to stop the significant erosion of their beach that reached up to 70 metres. The first phase of the projects, both on the southern coastal front of Geroskipou - Kato Paphos, and on the northwest front of the Chrysochous apartment has been completed and now in full development is the design and study of the second phase.
On the coastline of Geroskipou and Kato Paphos, up to the Municipal Baths, the new wave breakers with a total expenditure of €11.5 million, a project that will be financed by European funds, said the mayor of Geroskipou, Michalis Pavlidis.
"The offers for the construction of the new coastal protection projects are soon being announced," he stressed, "which, in addition to the opposition to erosion, will have another huge effect on our beach: They will make it sandy, which is strongly sought by tour operators and Russian visitors. It is well known that Russian tourists in particular have as their primary choice, the transition to sandy beaches, something that the hoteliers of our region are also pushing for. The new projects will also contribute to this improvement, which further increases the importance of their early start and completion. In this context, I believe that it is essential that the new wave breakers should start at the same time on both sides, and we believe that it would be better to award them to two rather than to one bidder in order to avoid delays as much as possible'.
The work of stopping erosion and improving the coastline from the municipal boundaries of Geroskipou to the municipal boundaries of Paphos, has been the subject of studies for years. The Municipalities of Paphos and Geroskipou finally presented in September 2020 the final study for the project, with a total length of about four kilometres, which is bounded by the Municipal Baths of Paphos in the west and the Hotel Phaethon in the east. The main objective of the study is to define the strategy for the development of the coastal zone by protecting the coast from erosion and improving the quality of the beach, so as to be compatible with tourist and recreational uses and to provide in particular the necessary safe conditions of use of the coast by bathers.
The presentation of the study was made by the scholars of the project which is the Dion Consortium. Toumazis & Associates – Rogan & Associates S.A.
The mayor of Geroskipou described the project for the coastline of Paphos and Geroskipou as the 15 wave breakers to be built are estimated to double the sandy area.
Improvements to the coastline in Geroskipou will not be limited to marine projects entering the second phase. They will also concern large-scale improvements in the land area, announced Michalis Pavlidis, since at this time gymnastics equipment provided by the CMO, lighting up to the river of Achleia, as well as systems to assist disabled people worth €100,000 are placed along the beach with the support of the Deputy Minister of Tourism.
The projects to stop the erosion of the coastline in Geroskipou began to be planned a decade ago, with the involvement of the National Technical University of Athens. The representatives of the Polytechnic University, led by Professor Muzouris, then visited Geroskipou, in order to see on the spot the extent of the problem and had contacts with the competent bodies for the preparation of their study.
As mentioned in this study, since 1985, a total area of 20 to 40 metres of coast, have disappeared on the coastal front of the Municipality of Geroskipou as a result of erosion, while the problem is even more important in Chrysochous Town, where erosion points of up to 70 metres are recorded.
This important element, which "translates" to about one metre of land per year, based on scientific research by the Department of Marine Research, has been the starting point for the intensification over the last few years of the largest program of coastal shielding and the construction of wave breakers on the coasts of the Municipalities of Geroskipou and Paphos.
Even more important was the erosion observed in previous decades in the coastal area of the Municipality of Polis, but also of the communities of Chrysochous Bay, which in some cases has exceeded 70 metres, as stated in "F" the mayor of Chrysochous Town, Giotis Papachristofis.
Due to the intense phenomena in the area of The City, he said, the Municipal Authority carried out a study of the Technical University of Athens which provided for the shielding of part of the beach and the construction of 14 water breakers in front of the municipal coast to the campground.
"The project was implemented with a contribution of 50% from the Municipality of Polis and 50% from the state with a total expenditure of €3.5 million", stressed Giotis Papachristofis. "In the period since the completion of the project, the results have been positive to a satisfactory extent, there has been a significant improvement of the beach. While previously this beach gathered a few dozen bathers, after the execution of the projects it became one of the busiest beaches, gathering on a daily basis hundreds of bathers, and on weekends it far exceeded 1,000 people, which had very beneficial effects in the field of economic and especially tourist development with the enrichment of our tourist product.
It should be made clear, however, that projects such as these take years to bring about the maximum of improvements. Therefore, the situation is now after the construction of the first 14 wave breakers better than before, but the level of improvement is constantly increasing as time goes on'.
With regard to the construction of the second phase of coastal protection projects in Chrysochous Bay, the mayor of Chrysochous stresses that the preliminary estimate of expenditure is €5.75 million. For this phase, he explained, the study of experts for the construction of another 14 or so wave breakers is currently under way.
"This new phase will cover the entire coastal front from Latsi to Pomos" pointed out Mr Papachristofis. "Based on the study, four wave breakers will be created, in particular, from the west of Latsi to the Anassa Hotel, six after our campground and four on the beach of Argakas and Pomos".
Finally, the mayor of Chrysochous said that, as in the case of Geroskipou, these projects will have the additional benefit of creating additional sandy beaches.
Lifting in the port of Latsios
In particular for the port of Latsios, in addition to the projects in the sea area, the Municipality of Chrysochous Town is also proceeding with major regeneration projects in the land area at a cost of €2.7 million and duration of execution for 52 months. The aim, says Giotis Papachristofis, is to upgrade the aesthetic image, connectivity, accessibility and functionality of Latsios as well as its functional and aesthetic connection with the wider area and especially the beach and the creation of a space with many opportunities for entertainment and with a variety of uses.
"The project includes the completion of the design and construction of the road to Neo Chorio as well as the redevelopment of the area of Latsios including the road around the warehouses of the Port Authority,"" he stresses. "Also included is the demolition of existing structures and the creation of dining areas in front of the "Porto Latsi" and the formation of a state piece in the same area in a car park.
In particular, the reconstruction of the internal coastal road, the reconstruction of the central part of the road leading to the port and the beach in the centre of Latsios, the creation of the parking area of 1,900 square metres and the redevelopment of the coastal front that requires almost 40% of the total budget".
A competition has already been launched for the selection of consultants who will undertake the detailed planning of the redevelopment, from which final detailed planning is requested.
According to the technical provisions, the elements of the project should include dining areas, road, pedestrian and bicycle path, small platforms, urban equipment and tree planting with selection of suitable species of flora. It is also envisaged that ramps and ladders should be set up where necessary, sanitary areas, parking spaces and road lighting, as well as all infrastructure – i.e. a water and electricity network, a rainwater management system and a sewage management system. Therefore, according to the requirements of the municipality, for consultant scholars the team that will undertake the project must include experienced architect, civil engineer, electrical engineer, mechanical engineer, quantity surveyor, engineer and safety and health coordinator.
