The problem of erosion observed along the coastline of the Municipality of Dromolaxia – Meneou, especially between Perivolia and Meneou, is extremely serious. The sandy beach is 'disappearing' seafront homes at the edge of Meneou are under threat, as is the lower level of the Perivolia seafront promenade.
Mayor Kypros Andronikou is sending a warning to the competent state services, cautioning that unless lengthy bureaucratic procedures are overcome and immediate measures are taken to curb erosion, the municipality’s coastal area will suffer major damage.
Speaking to Politis, Mr Andronikou said there is a major erosion issue stretching from the Perivolia lighthouse towards Meneou, which is worsening continuously, causing problems both for visitor access to the sea and for the operation of infrastructure along the beach.
As he noted, due to erosion, the lower section of the Perivolia promenade was at risk of collapse and was temporarily protected by the placement of concrete boulders on the initiative of the municipality. “If we had waited for the competent state services to proceed with the necessary works, today there would be no promenade,” he remarked.
At the same time, the mayor expressed frustration over the fact that numerous meetings have been held on the issue in the presence of the relevant state authorities, during which the need for immediate measures to protect the coastline from erosion was repeatedly stressed, yet no substantial action has been taken to date, noting that “nature and erosion cannot wait for bureaucratic procedures.”
He also stated that although the necessary studies had been carried out and the construction of breakwaters along the Perivolia – Meneou coastline had been set in motion, the decision was ultimately reversed after the Department of Environment opted for milder interventions (nature based measures.)
Mr Andronikou expressed pessimism about the way state services are handling the erosion issue and said he hopes that this time the set timelines will be respected so that by early autumn a concrete proposal, approved by the Department of Environment, will be in place in order for coastal protection works along the Perivolia – Meneou area to begin as soon as possible. He warned that if timelines are not met this time, the Municipality of Dromolaxia – Meneou will proceed with a press conference to highlight the scale of the problem.
