Filenews 8 March 2023 - by Dora Christodoulou
Work began on Thursday on the redevelopment of the Square and the streets around the church of Panagia Theoskepasti in the heart of the tourist area of Kato Paphos. The works, as well as the temporary traffic arrangements that they entail, are already creating discontent and fears among professionals in the area. This is because the tourist season is approaching and the possibility of thousands of tourists facing construction sites in full swing is visible.
As announced by the Municipality of Paphos, these are the construction works for the first phase of the project. The works will affect Leda (part), Alkminis, Artemidos streets, as well as part of Poseidonos Avenue.
Specifically, for the period of the next three months and until the end of May 2023, works will be carried out on Leda (section), Alkminis and Artemidos streets, which will remain closed to traffic.
As announced by the Municipality of Paphos, safe access for pedestrians affected residents and visitors to homes and businesses will be ensured throughout the execution of the works. Poseidonos Avenue will be closed to traffic heading to the port of Kato Paphos, while it will be completely closed to buses.
"The bulk of the traffic will be served by Iasonos, Tefkrou, Clytemnestra, Pafias Aphrodite and Apostolou Pavlou Avenue", clarifies the Municipality of Paphos. "With the progress of the works and always in a timely manner, there will be a new detailed update with all the necessary information for the remaining phases of the project," he added.
Already, AKEL Paphos with its announcement is calling the municipal authority of Paphos in relation to the redevelopment works that have begun to be carried out on the Paphos coastal front. The works were initiated by the Municipal Authority, he points out, without prior information and discussion with the shopkeepers involved. We are confident that the Municipal Authority should promptly and in writing inform those affected of the relevant timelines, so as not to cause tension and confusion to the affected people and visitors to the area," the statement said.
The Pafos Municipal Council, AKEL concludes, should re-employ the reconstruction of the wall on the beach, so as to ensure protection from erosion and waves.
The municipal team of EDEK in the Municipality of Paphos also expresses its strong concerns about the progress of the works underway on the Paphos coastal front. In its announcement, the municipal team of the party points out that the works are carried out by the Municipal Authority, without having previously informed and consulted with the shopkeepers involved, without timely and in writing informing the affected people about the relevant schedules and without observing the necessary safety and health measures, as well as the necessary traffic regulations.
Moreover, the Association of Owners of Paphos Recreation Centers (SIKAP) expresses strong dissatisfaction with the stagnation observed in recent days, in the upgrade works at the port of Kato Paphos: "This period is considered the beginning of the new tourist season, which should be noted, has already begun, since several tourists are circulating in Paphos and flights to Paphos airport have increased. The owners of the recreation centres of the port area, seeing the progress of the works, predict that the works will be completed around Easter and not a month after their start, based on a schedule and promises they had received. Such a development will destroy us economically."
