A damning new report on the controversial roadworks in Akamas National Forest Park has landed on the desks of an ad hoc committee tasked with evaluating the project. The findings, compiled by ASD Hyperstatic Engineering Design on behalf of the forestry department, highlight 16 major violations of environmental regulations and administrative oversights in the first phase of construction.
Key Findings: A Trail Of Violations
The report outlines critical issues, including rainwater inflow from Peyia developments that have damaged key roads, particularly the stretch linking White River Beach to the park’s entrance. The first directive? Immediate repairs and a long-term solution to prevent further erosion.
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Other key recommendations include:
- Erosion control: Alternative solutions must be proposed, and all existing retaining walls must be removed. Safer, environmentally friendly methods must be used to stabilize road inclines.
- Toxeftra Beach safeguards: Existing walls near Toxeftra Beach should be completely demolished, with new barriers designed to protect fragile sandstone formations while preventing vehicle and pedestrian damage. No new walls will be allowed unless proven essential for safety.
- Wildlife protection: All remaining walls must incorporate wildlife passages, as required by the game service.
- Infrastructure rollback: The water supply cable must be removed responsibly, with environmental restoration measures in place. New sources of firefighting water must be identified.
- Natura 2000 compliance: Special protection measures are needed for olive and carob forests and other habitats within the Natura 2000 protected area.
- Eel migration concerns: The Avakas area roadworks require a fresh review by the water development department to assess potential modifications affecting the movement of local eel populations.
The committee has been given 15 days to propose corrective measures, which will then be submitted for further scrutiny. Once revised plans are approved, they must be aligned with the special ecological assessment (SEA) from March 2024.
How Did The Akamas Project Go Off The Rails?
The Akamas roadworks project, which began in September 2023, was meant to upgrade 13.4 km of existing roads. But within weeks, environmental groups raised the alarm, accusing contractors of violating strict, legally binding conditions.
As public outcry grew, President Nikos Christodoulides admitted he was “personally annoyed” by the deviations from the approved plan. In December 2023, the council of ministers stepped in, halting construction and ordering an investigation.
Despite the controversy, then-Agriculture Minister Petros Xenophontos initially stated the project would proceed without suspension, only to reverse course days later. The government ultimately terminated its contract with Cyfield in January 2024, leaving the future of the project—and Akamas’s fragile ecosystem—in limbo.
Now, with this latest report laying bare the full scale of environmental damage, the pressure is on. Will the new recommendations lead to genuine reform, or will Akamas remain caught in the crossfire of politics and development?
