Filenews 2 November 2021 - by Angelos Nikolaou
The construction and operation of a linear park within the registered boundaries of the riverbed "Xeropotamos" is planned by the Municipality of Pegeia. The whole project of €500,000 is estimated to be completed within six months after the start of the construction works is in the process of environmental opinion. The proposed project aims to attract visitors and provide recreational activities, as well as to improve the quality of life of the residents and at the same time to landscaping the area. During the summer season, when the population of the municipality and the surrounding areas is growing rapidly, the proposed growth is expected to receive on a daily basis, during the month of August, about 100 visitors, according to the Municipality of Pegeia.
It is located on state land, in a protection zone Z3, within the registered boundaries of the riverbed "Xeropotamos" for which the Water Development Department (WDD) is responsible. Specifically, this development extends from the area immediately upstream of the bridge of Agios Georgios Avenue to the area immediately upstream of the "hexakamaro" bridge. It is noted that in the context of the urban planning permit of the project, a hydrological and hydraulic study has been carried out in order to assess the flood risk of the proposed development.
Based on the architectural plans of the proposed linear park, it has a total area of 15,310sq.m., which will include, among others, a game area, an archery centre, a skate park, a geological park, parking areas as well as green spaces.
The proposed development abuts in the northeast with Agios Georgios Avenue (Paphos - Pegeia road) at the entrance to the Municipality of Pegeia. Based on the architectural plans, visitors will be able to access the linear park area from three points: a) By car through Agios Georgios Avenue where 43 parking spaces will be formed. b) By road through the road where 12 parking spaces will be formed. c) In the northern part of the development area, access will be formed under the existing arches ("six-arched" bridge) through a bridge that will pass over the river for the movement of visitors from upstream to the linear park.
In the immediate area, the Municipality of Pegeia is planning a coastal pedestrian street which will start from a point immediately downstream of Agios Georgiou Avenue, 20m. south of the development under study and will terminate in the area of Agios Georgios with a total route length of about 13 km.
The facilities extend for the most time up to the outer limit of the registered bed of the river Xeropotamos. Therefore, the construction / formation of anti-corrosion works is required for the protection of the slopes and the riverbed. 1) Along the slopes, as they are formed in the study area, gabion walls will be placed, stones which will be taken from the riverbed. 2) The area immediately downstream of the "hexakamaro" bridge is about 5m lower than the altitude of the bottom of the arches. In order to safely channel the flow of the stream into the riverbed and avoid erosion, a small waterfall will be created that will include three concrete terraces 1.6m high.
Restoration of a "hexakamaros" bridge
This bridge, also known as the "six-arched" bridge, was built in the early 20th century and served as a passage for the movement of residents from the villages of the wider region to the city centre. In an extreme rainfall event, the flow of the River swept away and destroyed four of the six arches. Then the Department of Public Works proceeded to the reconstruction of the bridge by placing cylindrical culverts and maintaining the two remaining arches, resulting in the bridge continuing to be used for the movement of residents. Therefore, the Municipality of Pegeia, in addition to the construction and operation of the linear park, will proceed to the restoration of the historic bridge by removing the cylindrical culverts and replacing them with four additional arches, resulting in this historic bridge returning to its original form.
