coastal erosion — Dromolaxia-Meneou mayor Kypros Andronikou has called for urgent action from authorities to tackle the escalating issue of coastal erosion affecting the island’s shorelines. He emphasised that the situation is worsening, particularly along the stretch from Pervolia Lighthouse to Meneou.
- “We expect measures yesterday and not today,” he insisted, indicating the municipality's growing impatience with the slow pace of progress.
Andronikou highlighted the severe implications of this erosion, stating, “There is a huge problem with the erosion of the coastline in the area from the Pervolia Lighthouse to Meneou, which is constantly worsening and causing serious problems both for the access of residents and visitors to the sea, as well as in the operation of the beaches, infrastructure and the local economy.”
According to the mayor, parts of Pervolia are in immediate danger of collapse. He indicated that the municipality has had to cordon off affected areas due to the lack of timely interventions from state services. “If we had waited for the state services to proceed with the necessary works, there would be no pedestrian walkway today,” he explained, referring to an earlier promise made in a meeting last September that necessary interventions would be made promptly.
Andronikou noted that while studies for erosion prevention measures have been conducted and construction of breakwaters had commenced, a decision from the environmental department halted these efforts, opting instead for milder interventions. This has only added to the frustrations of local officials who feel that delays due to bureaucratic processes hinder timely action.
“We pressed for timetables to be set for resolving the erosion problem because we believe that this situation requires immediate measures and actions,” Andronikou stated. He lamented that nature cannot wait for administrative procedures, stressing the urgency for action.
In expressing disappointment over how the situation has been managed, Andronikou stated, “I am not at all optimistic about the way in which the state services operate on the issue of erosion.” He hopes that planned interventions for autumn will proceed without further delay.
“We expect measures yesterday and not today,” he insisted, indicating the municipality’s growing impatience with the slow pace of progress.
The mayor also underscored that the erosion problem extends beyond Dromolaxia-Meneou, urging the government to implement relevant interventions to protect coastlines for both locals and tourists. “The issue concerns the protection and safety of the thousands of visitors, foreigners and locals who visit Cyprus and our beaches every year,” he concluded, calling for immediate solutions to safeguard the cherished coastal areas.
