Filenews 21 November 2022 - by Dora Christodoulou
The climate of satisfaction and optimism that has returned to Peyia during this period has nothing to do with the "high flights" of the tourism industry. The entire mayoral area has already begun to undergo a large-scale and costly facelift, which will give it an air of modernization and functionality that has been lacking for decades.
In this new setting, two major projects are the crowning glory of the Municipal Authority's actions: The new central avenue of the municipality and the record coastal pedestrian street of 14 km, which will end up to Kissonerga.
As early as last spring, the Mayor of Peyia signed the contract for the improvement and reconstruction of Michalaki Kyprianou Avenue, with the contractor and the works are now in full swing in the central fabric of the municipality. Mr. Lambrou emphasizes to "F" that the total amount of the contract amounts to approximately €4 million and the execution time of the project is 18 months.
"The improvement of our central avenue was one of the main priorities, both for me personally and for the City Council and after five years of persistent efforts, determination and intense representations to all the competent Authorities and Services, it became possible to promote and implement it," he says. "The works, which are now being carried out at full speed, include excavations and embankments, works for rainwater runoff, movements and extensions of utility networks, construction of retaining walls, construction of pavement, construction of pavements, construction of parking lots and implementation of road signs."
One step behind the progress of changes in the central fabric of Peyia is the project of upgrading its coastline. However, this is now counting down, since in the summer the signatures for the construction contract fell for the formation of Phase A of the coastal pedestrian street in the Municipality of Peyia, the largest that will exist in Cyprus with a total length of 14 km.
The contract was signed by the Mayor of Peyia and the contractor. The contract amount is approximately €2.6 million and the construction works are expected to be completed within a period of 15 months. The project is co-financed 2/3 by the Department of Town Planning and Housing and 1/3 by the Municipality of Peyia.
"The construction works of the contract", emphasizes Marinos Lambrou, "include the construction of a pedestrian and bicycle path, square and sitting areas, playgrounds, sports areas and the landscaping of green spaces, which will compose a single linear seaside multifunctional park. In all its areas, urban equipment and lighting are installed. In addition, within the framework of the project and between the banks of the river Xeros, a pedestrian bridge will be erected connecting it with the future Paphos marina. The main objective of the project is the creation of a promenade, sports and recreation area along the already developed areas of the coastal front of the Municipality and access to the beach for the residents and visitors of the area".
The configuration of the coastal pedestrian street is part of the Strategic Plan 2022-2024 of the Ministry of Interior for the development and revitalization of urban areas and the countryside, as well as the promotion and protection of the natural and cultural heritage.
Projects aimed at upgrading the area
Of less financial expense than the two aforementioned projects, but in addition to the total change of face in the Municipality, are two other campaigns of the Municipal Authority that are already at an advanced stage of implementation and are expected to be completed before the end of 2022.
These are the asphalt paving of roads within the municipal boundaries of Peyia, and the creation of sports grounds.
Regarding the asphalt paving, a project worth €1 million, Marinos Lambrou stressed that by the end of this project, most of the asphalt paving of the road network of the municipal area will have been completed. The Mayor of Peyia also pointed out that the construction works of the tennis court began a few months ago. "At the end of these works", he stressed, "the sports infrastructure of the municipality is essentially completed, which includes the Municipal Football Stadium, an auxiliary football field, a basketball and volleyball field and a futsal stadium".
The total facelift that Peyia is currently undergoing is not unrelated to the impressive performance of tourism, after the almost three-year inactivity due to the pandemic.
The occupancy of the hotel and tourist units in the mayoral area this year exceeded 90%, emphasizes Marinos Lambrou, a fact that offered financial self-sufficiency and security for the projects under execution: "The occupancy of the six hotel units operating within our municipal boundaries reached 90% in the summer season, creating a climate of particular optimism for the return of the good days in tourism on a permanent basis. The general tourist traffic in the area is close to 80% of the corresponding one recorded before the beginning of the pandemic, resulting in the beneficial consequences being enjoyed at the same time by other businesses in the service sector in the wider region".
