Paralimni announces plan for final leg of coastal promenade

Paralimni municipality on Saturday announced plans for the construction of the final leg of its coastal promenade that will stretch all the way to its border with Dherynia.

Upon completion, the Paralimni-Protaras coastal promenade will span around 20 kilometres, the local authority said.

Phase four of the project will start from the Ayios Nicolaos fishing shelter and will end at Paralimni’s municipal borders with Dherynia, at the UN beach outpost.

The municipality said that the project is estimated to be completed 24 months from the date works begin if there are no delays, due to various internal or external factors. No information was given on when works are expected to start.

The promenade will include a bicycle lane, benches, and small shading and shelter areas.

The project aims to strengthen the relationship of people with the natural landscape, the sea, offer a relaxing view and strengthen the ecotourism and leisure infrastructure, the local authority said in a statement. It added that ecosystems and biodiversity play an important role for many types of tourism that is a vital source of income.

But recreation areas and facilities for light sports in the coastal zone, the statement said, is also addressed to the area residents who will be able to enjoy such activities year-round.

Studies on the project said that the environmental consequences that may occur during the promenade’s construction phase are estimated to be short-term and reversible. The studies call for measures to prevent or minimise the risk of environmental damage especially in the areas where protected flora species are located, namely in the Glyky Nero and Freedom beaches, the local authority said.