‘Danger on the coast’
Leading figures in the tourism industry have called for a ‘local campaign’ to repair the Lapta coastal path just two years after it was officially opened
LEADING tourism figures have called for a “local campaign” to prevent parts of the Lapta coastal path falling into disrepair, just two years after it was officially opened.
Railings on part of the 5.5 million TL, 3km-route that crosses over the sea between headlands are “rusting away”, as photos by CyprusToday show. The path was funded by Turkey and the EU.
Cyprus Turkish Travel Agents’ Union head Orhan Tolun, an Alsancak resident who frequently uses the path, said: “It is a great shame that such a beautiful place has been left in a state of neglect and non- maintenance because the railings have really rusted away.
“Proper care is needed because it is also a health risk. The coastal path is an absolute favourite of expats, including Russian, German and Scandinavian residents, as well for locals.
“Perhaps the local community should come together and start a new initiative to raise funds for the treatment and repainting of the railings and to make them safer for all the families. It is not fair to expect everything from the state.”
Lapta Mayor Mustafa Aktuğ said he agreed the railings were “in a very bad state,” adding: “Unfortunately, the paint used at the time of construction was not resistant to the sea. We submitted projects to both the Turkish embassy as well as to the Tourism Ministry last year.
“It is expensive to fix ourselves and our administration took over a municipality that was embroiled in debt, which we continue to repay.”
Adding that they also had a project to “illuminate” the path so people can use it at nights, he said a plan had been submitted that would cost an estimated 1.5 million TL.
Karşıyaka muhtar Ahmet Pelit, another frequent path user, said: “The coastal path – one of the most beautiful areas of the region loved by the people of Lapta and Karşıyaka and even residents from further away – is in a sorry sight and this is dangerous for children who could accidentally touch the rusting railings then put their hands in their mouths.
“There is a danger of catching tetanus. However this is not the fault of the municipality and the government needs to address this matter urgently because it is a health issue.”
Pamela Padden, a Lapta resident, described the rusting railings as “awful”, adding: “It is so disappointing to see the project of the ex-mayor [Fuat Namsoy] neglected in this way. It seems that EU money invested in what is a fabulous resource for the local community is literally rusting away.
“Something has got to be done. It is causing a great upset to the users of the Lapta coastal path.”