Filenews 7 January 2022 - by Dora Christodoulou
Since last April, the creation of two linear parks in Paphos may have been officially announced in order to upgrade the natural environment of the city, to improve hygiene conditions and quality of life and to upgrade aesthetically the whole of Paphos, but the intervening period has since passed without any news about the important environmental project. This raises questions and concerns for citizens and organized groups about the reasons for the delay in the implementation of the plans.
These are linear parks that will cover the boundaries of the Municipality from all sides, in essence, since the first one will start from the boundaries of Konia and through the large area that passes through Pafiakos and ends at the coastal area of Kato Paphos, while the second starts from the area of the Lyceum of Agios Neophytos and ends at the western coastal front of Paphos.
Far-reaching planning has been on the table for several years now, however, but it has not yet been able to be financed by the European Regional Development Fund of the European Union. It has been announced for months that the planning and preparatory work have been completed and the start of the work would be a matter of days, which has not really happened.
The first linear park concerns the area of Konia-Pafiakos-Kato Pafos, while the second abuts the communities of Chlorakas, Emba and Mesogi. It is specifically an area adjacent to the area that starts from the area of Mesogi, passes behind the Lyceum of Agios Neophytos, continues by the 10th Primary School, crosses the "Diplarkatzia" and the area of Mouttallos and flows into the sea, in the Historical Coast "Vrexi" of Chlorakas.
With the construction of extensive cycle paths and pedestrian streets, the formation of small squares that will be places of assembly and social activities, tree planting, the creation of bridges and the creation of small playgrounds, these linear parks will be an ornament for Paphos.
At the same time, they argue, the prevailing marginalization will stop, reverse the existing negative environmental image and restore the natural environment.
"The project will mainly benefit the population of the adjacent developed residential areas where there are schools and refugee settlements, will create a safe route network for cyclists and hikers, while its connection to the coastal front will also attract tourists to a different tour," they stress. "In addition, it will help to reduce and prevent pollution of the riverbed with waste materials and garbage, as is currently the case in many places."
