A raft of new projects are planned for Polis Chrysochous which are much needed to upgrade the entire area, mayor Giotis Papachristofi said.

“These projects are important for Polis, Latchi and the entire area as it will make an already lovely place more attractive to both overseas tourists and visitors from other towns in Cyprus. They will also make the area better for the local residents and safer too,” he told the Cyprus Mail.

The projects include the upgrading and renovation of the centre of Polis to create a pedestrianised square while surrounding buildings will also be tidied up.

The centre of Prodromi will also undergo a similar upgrade.

“The budget for these two projects come to around €4.2 million,” he said.

The municipality will stump up a third of this with the government paying the remaining two thirds, he said.

Work is expected to go ahead by the middle of 2021 as the government has given it the green light, and the municipality is now awaiting the necessary licenses, Papachristofi said.

Other work due to get underway in the area will be at Latchi harbour. Here, a neglected old building will be renovated at a cost of around €650,000, the mayor said.

“Some of these funds are coming from the EU,” he added.

In addition, the harbour is expected to be expanded to further increase the number of berths available for boats to dock.

Work is already underway at the town’s archaeological sites, which are being maintained by ten workers and an archaeologist who were hired in cooperation with the Department of Antiquities, he added.

They are planning a project to protect the sites with shades, pathways and signage.

In addition, the yards of both the municipality and police station will be given an overhaul, as currently they are dusty, messy eyesores.

“We will create new garden spaces here, full of flowers and trees. We will be able to hold events here,” he said.

The project, which will cost €600,000 is due to get started this year.

Work is also underway concerning the construction of pavements along the coastal road from Polis to Latsi and a road network from Drousia to Polis is expected to be designed.

Many other, smaller, projects have been underway for some time such as installing new, economically efficient street lighting, both replacing old lighting and adding to areas which previously didn’t have any.

“We have also planted many more trees and flowers and will continue to do so,” the mayor said.

Concerning the new Paphos to Polis road, the mayor said the minister of transport informed him that contracts with the responsible company are expected to be signed in February.