Newsroom
From broken promises to broken roads, Paphos has had its share of delays. But on Friday, members of Parliament took to the streets, literally, to check in on a number of key infrastructure projects that locals say are long overdue.
The Parliamentary Transport Committee, joined by Paphos district MPs and municipal leaders, visited several construction sites and problem areas, renewing calls to speed things up.
1. Old Paphos airport road: A priority for safety and tourism
The tour began at the old Paphos airport road, a major route for both locals and tourists that’s been crying out for an upgrade. Committee chairman Marinos Mousiouttas said the road is unsafe and outdated, but a study for electrification is finally underway, a first step to improving safety. A master plan for broader improvements is expected to follow.
“This is a road used by thousands of visitors,” Mousiouttas said. “We can’t ignore it anymore.”
2. Paphos–airport connection: Environmental gridlock
The long-discussed road linking Paphos to the airport remains unfinished. Environmental concerns have repeatedly stalled the project. While no immediate solution has been found, officials say efforts will continue to get it off the ground.
3. Dimokratias Avenue: still no overpass
The group then moved to Dimokratias Avenue, where plans for a pedestrian overpass remain stalled. DIKO MP Chrysanthos Savvides voiced frustration, saying, “We’re building overpasses in parks, but not on roads where schoolchildren cross every day.” Urban planning officials and the Paphos Municipality were both criticized for the lack of progress.
4. Mesogi–Tremithoussa bridge: Stuck since 2011
At the Mesogi–Tremithoussa bridge site, AKEL MP Valentinos Fakondis highlighted a project that’s been frozen for more than a decade. Despite being announced twice in the past two years, no contractor has taken it on.
“We need to reissue the tender with terms that will actually attract interest,” Fakondis said, calling the bridge vital to easing traffic around the industrial zone.
5. Kato Paphos–Coral Bay road: A 40-year wait
The long-promised road between Kato Paphos and Coral Bay remains on paper, despite being first proposed 40 years ago. DISY MP Charalambos Pazaros said the hope is to finally include it in the 2026 state budget, allowing for tenders to be issued and work to begin.
“This road serves nearly 2 million tourists every year,” Pazaros noted. “We owe them better.”
6. Lighting from Anarita to Paphos airport
Hierokipia Mayor Nikos Palios added that lighting will finally be installed on the stretch between Anarita and the airport, with work expected to begin in late 2026. A separate master plan to upgrade the old airport road is set to be launched in 2025, improving the experience for the 5 million travelers passing through the airport annually.
The visit brought together officials from the Ministries of Transport, Finance, Urban Planning, and Public Works, as well as local community leaders and district representatives.
While many of the projects have been stuck in limbo for years, MPs insisted they will keep up the pressure, hoping this time, plans turn into progress.
*With information from CNA
