Harbour Construction Work

[djs]

Once again Trev thanks for the photos.
Things look like they really are coming together now, lets hope they remove the fences around the sides now.
Towards the end of May they have a festival with market stores along the front. Do you know if this is going to happen this year?

[valerie swift]

Hi Trev, brilliant photo's again, thanks for keeping those of us in the u.k. happy on a Friday. It's so nice to see blue sky! Val

[Derektee]

Great photos again Trev.

Don't quite know what to make of this vast expanse of cobbles with no street furniture? Looks like a beach, really. Steps at bathing area look good. Still see pockets at regular intervals left for railing stanchions towards the harbour end. (proper railings or bollards, ladders on edge would never have worked ) Couldn't leave it like that here (not even temporarily) ... locals would be queueing up to have an accident and claim from the govt., still previous wall was not high enough to act as a guard against falling in the drink anyway. Bit concerned about storms washing away the cobbles though.

I was at a town planning seminar here recently where engineers and planners from Scandinavia were promoting some flash new developments in Stockholm. We were alarmed at the lack of guard rails along canal edges at street frontages on new housing estates, but they said why should someone fall in here and not somewhere else along the coast, should we have a guard rail along the whole coast line? No, people must look after themselves and take better care of their children! ... They saw railings as an unnecessary barrier to those wanting to mess about in boats etc. No nanny state there it seems. Keep your children on a leash!

Anyway it's good to see the promenade open again, it will be interesting to see how much traffic is allowed and how traffic and pedestrians will mix. Can't wait to get down there on my scooter and do some wheelies and donuts!

Due over again first week in May so will look out for you, there's a Keo in it for you, remember, if you have the time. I know you are very busy with all this construction photography.

[trevnhil]

Hi All. Thanks again for your comments. And of course any ideas that you come up with regarding the "finished article," are just as good as mine or anyone else's.

There are a number of questions still in my mind........

It is rumoured that traffic will be allowed through the new area, but maybe only one way. I do wonder which way, but assume that it will be from "Seagull" to "Rose corner. However if cars are allowed then where will they park?? Nothing seems to be marked out at the moment. It will be no good saying no parking allowed, look at the double yellow lines in town, they may as well not be there some times.
What about some sort of seating. Maybe this has still to appear.
What about deliveries to all the premises on the promenade??
What about the taxis??

And what about some form of lighting. If you look at yesterdays pictures you will see no sign of any lighting at all. I cannot even see provision for lighting, ie underground cables terminating in junction boxes on the cobbles. Hopefully the electrics are all in place and they are under X on a map!!
Again, maybe others who are local have been down at night. If so how dark is it down there.

Many questions.......needing answers which may surface in the coming days or weeks.

Best wishes all.

[KG]

There are a number of questions still in my mind........

It is rumoured that traffic will be allowed through the new area, but maybe only one way. I do wonder which way, but assume that it will be from "Seagull" to "Rose corner. However if cars are allowed then where will they park?? Nothing seems to be marked out at the moment. It will be no good saying no parking allowed, look at the double yellow lines in town, they may as well not be there some times.

The reported plan was to allow only one way bus traffic along the promenade from the Seagull to Rose Corner. However as you note, if traffic can get on there it will and then it will be a giant car park. Cyprus has never had the will to sort its parking problem. It is one of those cultural things that you have to live with.

What about some sort of seating. Maybe this has still to appear.

Seating is supposed to be included, but if it is anything like the harbour area, it will be obscured by restaurant seating clutter. In fact the restauranteurs on the harbour have moved the seating to a pile at the castle end. A sea wall would have made more sense as that allows lots of seating space, and would keep the sea off the cobbles in the winter.

What about deliveries to all the premises on the promenade??

Most, if not all, of the shops have rear access which can be used for loading and unloading. Those at the harbour end will need to introduce a barrier access or it will be a parking free-for-all as now.

What about the taxis??

It has been said that taxis will not have access, but the taxi lobby is powerful so we shall see whether the authorities stand up to them ... or not, as in the past.

And what about some form of lighting. If you look at yesterdays pictures you will see no sign of any lighting at all. I cannot even see provision for lighting, ie underground cables terminating in junction boxes on the cobbles. Hopefully the electrics are all in place and they are under X on a map!!

The electrics are all in place as are the bases for the lamps. According to Omega News, there has been a problem with the planning paperwork relating to the erection of the proposed lighting, which means that the new lights will not be in place for the 19th May. The Mayor of Paphos said that he would have the old lighting restored in the meantime. This pre-supposes that the old lights will fit the new bases and that they haven't been damaged or scrapped!

The re-development cannot help but be an improvement on the shabby run-down state of the promenade area before the work started. Two things are certain: the finished result won't please everyone, and there is little chance that the redevelopment will be finished before the 19th May. Some parts of it - like that new building near the PortoPafos hotel - will be lucky to be finished this year.

Personally I like what I have seen so far

[Jim]

Thanks for the updates Graham..you know what maybe worrying for people with kids, no guard rail, hope this is going to be done..

[trevnhil]

I have looked a some earlier weeks photos, and can see on the one below 3 places where white conduit comes out on the cobbles.




Regards. Trev..

[Derektee]

KG,

I too like what I see so far, and agree that its a big improvemant visually on what was there before; but as someone who is involved in the design of public spaces I am intrigued by what I see so far. The main things that intrigue me are the apparent different attitude to risks presented by possible falls into the sea and traffic and pedestrians mixing without kerb rises to seperate them. The latter is usually dealt with here by designing the shared space in such a restricted way that the car driver feels as though he is almost tresspassing in an area where pedestrians obviously have priority to wander. (some attempt made at this in Bar street recently with new bollards in place of old low concrete ones, which were out of the drivers line of vision). At the moment I don't see how this will be achieved given the vast space that is protrayed in the photos. As you say a potential carpark or possible race track. But we shall see when the job is finished and the restuarant seating, canopies, and traffic restrictions are in place.

Hadn't thought about the lack of lighting, but that's another thing which would be considered a H&S nightmare here leading to claims from the Council.

It's refreshing to see a relaxed attitude to these things which is obviously born out of a less letigious society in Cyprus; in some ways a breath of fresh air really, but will it lead to a sufficiently safe and pleasant promenade along the seafront? This area for all its scruffiness and the harbour were our first view of Paphos 10 years ago when on a bus trip from Protaras, thats when we fell in love with Paphos and it is close to our hearts. So I hope they have got it right.

As Trev keeps saying "we shall see"!

[tremithousajohn]

Great pics again Trev. Glad to see it's open as we fly out on Monday for a week. You don't think they've opened it just for easter weekend and may close it off again Tuesday.
Will be down there Friday for the " Trevor hunt".

John

[KG]

If some people paid a bit more attention to what their children were doing instead of expecting others to ensure their safety, there would be no need for a rail. Whether they will erect one remains to be seen.

There is no rail around the harbour and I don't recall children falling in there!

Whilst on the subject of the harbour, there was another news report this week that the local authority was getting rather irritated by the restaurant clutter on the harbour and was planning to have it moved ... not before time. If they put any more tables down there it will not be possible to walk through.

[Charnwood Fox]

And there's the new Cyprus sport....waiter dodging.

[Derektee]

If they are expecting to fill all those tables then the Tourist trade can't be as bad as some are making out?

I agree that parent's should take a lot more responsibility for their kids, mine used to go out on an a walking harness, when very small and then were taught about dangers and supervised as they got older. It's just that I have become used to design of public spaces in a Nanny PC state, where everyone wants to claim from my PI insurance because they can't look where the're going. How long can Cyprus resist this approach to living. Still worry about the traffic management though, given the propensity for boy racres and hot hatches, tourists on quads etc.

Yeah we shall see...

[trevnhil]

Hi John. There is always that possibility that it is only open for the Easter period, but I hope not. Most of the barricades are still in position, with crates of blocks to stop cars wandering through. The works that they have yet to do are of a minor nature, until you get to the promenade building at the Seagull end. Yesterday I and some others were told to GET OUT!! ..... I added to the security guard... Baragalo (sp).




As far as I know I will be about next Friday lunch time. But like what is happening on the Prom:..... Nothing is certain.

Best wishes. Trev..

[Derektee]

Trev we dont arrive till next Saturday but might see you the following Friday, we shall see...

Perhaps I should bring the hard hat and yellow vest to avoid being thrown off site at the seagull end.

[trevnhil]

I may well see you again then Derek. Dont forget to bring your own water!!

If we had a cool / rainy day I could wear my yellow jacket.

Best wishes. Trev

[KG]

If they are expecting to fill all those tables then the Tourist trade can't be as bad as some are making out?
.....
t's just that I have become used to design of public spaces in a Nanny PC state, where everyone wants to claim from my PI insurance because they can't look where the're going. How long can Cyprus resist this approach to living.

The harbour restaurants were very busy yesterday, and while I was not paying that much attention to numbers, a fair proportion of the clientele were Cypriot .... no doubt spending our money that we used to buy their land

Long may Cyprus not get involved in the nanny state health and safety obsession of the UK. It is one of the main reasons why I chose to come here in the first place. If it was to become like Britain I would leave.

We don't have no win-no fee so there are no ambulance chasing lawyers, and in any case the legal system is stacked heavily against the incomers. Attempt to claim for your own stupidity here and the legal system will keep you amused for years. If as a tourist you fall into the sea (which surely is big enough for most people to see) then if you are going to sue someone, it had better be the tour operator for being so short sighted as to let you come here in the first place

[Jim]

Your comment on that rail Graham, sorry but you are wrong on this, have you not got one down your stairs?? children move very fast and without guardrail this will be very dangerous and not only for kids but for the elderly but also for the partially sighted or blind, a guard rail Graham is a must surly? but looking from a health and safety background I do not even expect the Cypriots to think of doing this, just look around the town and building sites, no wonder the A&E is full of accident victims during the working week here, my guess is there employers blame the workers, if you fall and break your neck because of the lack of a safety rail or scaffolding then this will be down to you not looking just crazy!!

And the old harbour wall, oh yes Graham people have fallen in there..several of them in fact, not all drunk!!

[Derektee]

Pockets appear to have been left in the cobbles for railings in any case. It's just that here the public would not be allowed access without the rails and lighting being in place and working first.

Sorry Trev checked my flight home and it is at 14.45 from Paphos on Friday 9th so I will miss your Friday visit again, so looks like I have successfully avoided buying you a beer again as you said last time luck of the Irish. Must try and get over for a CL do sometime then I could buy you several for all the sterling photography work on this thread.

[alan Clark]

Hi,

Again, nice pics Trev. Was very impressed with the finished work, much improvement from what it used to be. Like everyone else am concerned about the traffic and what will be allowed along there, did hear that only taxi's and buses, but who knows!
Also impressed with the path taking shape around the lighthouse walkway area, that will greatly improve the area.

Alan

[Jim]

KG you came to Cyprus because of the lack of health and safety? what a very strange reason to wish to live here, I sincerely hope you are not involved in a fall onto those rocks or none of your family maybe your grand kids...Nanny state, really! I value my families health and welfare, clearly you do not.

I guess you also think the standard of driving is acceptable also..

NOT a reason I came here to live..

[KG]

One of the reasons I came to live in Cyprus was to get away from the intrusive nanny state mentality that blights life in England - where no-one takes responsibility for their own actions any more and when something goes wrong it is always someone elses fault.

When my children were young we looked after their welfare properly without expecting others to do it for us.

You cannot and should not take the danger out of life. It results in adults ill prepared to deal with the realities of life,

Children should be guided to learn what is dangerous and what is not. Putting up a fence and using that as an excuse to avoid your parental responsibility is merely deluding yourself that the children will be safe, and then when the children (say) climb over the fence, or go under it and injure themselves, I suppose that you would say that it is the authorities fault for not building the fence higher, lower or more formidable rather than yours for not ensuring that the child was aware of the danger and taught to avoid it?

Most of the health and safety intrusion in the UK has little to do with safety, and everything to do with avoiding being sued by those people for whom nothing is ever their fault. Of course things should be made as safe as possible, but never as a substitute for common sense.

I said in an earlier post that whatever is done with the redevelopment it will not please everyone. You think there should be a fence. I don't. I'm not going to lose any sleep over it if a fence is erected and I will not be concerned about parents who cannot control their children if there isn't.

As for the driving, we have had this discussion before. Driving is appalling wherever you live. I find it a little more pleasant to drive here than in the UK, because the traffic is generally lighter, but there are some careless and dangerous drivers here, like everywhere else. It is also surprising how quickly ex-pats pick up the local bad habits and add them to their own, so you get drivers who are not only careless and dangerous bit often intoxicated also.

[Derektee]

I think what we are saying here Jim is that Cyprus takes a bit more relaxed attitude to H&S and people are expected to look after their own responsibilities a bit more whereas UK seems to have become obsessed with H&S to a degree that certainly causes me some annoyance at times in my professional and personal business. Cyprus might be a bit too laisez faire in this respect but I know I would prefer a slightly more relaxed approach than that currently in vogue in the UK. If ambulance chasing legal professionals don't exist in Cyprus then I think that's probably a good thing. There's a happy medium in all these things. I reckon the finished job will be completed with a guard rail, as prep for same appears to be there in photos.

[larsson07h]

just had these sent to me - they were taken yesterday afternoon

[trevnhil]

Hi Andy. These pictures again show how things have moved on in 24hrs. Some of the places seem to have been ready to open. And there are obviously some who seem to have a way to go yet.

Some of the pics also show "trip hazards" near the waters edge. These tubes stuck up are obviously there for a reason. Again... Time will tell.

I am surprised that some cafes still have the barriers in front of them.

Thanks for the added pics.........Has anyone been down there at night.??

Regards. Trev..

[larsson07h]

hi trev

it does look like its moving on and you are quite right to point out that there are several hazards to be wary of.

during the day you should be able to see them, kids should however be kept close (my 7 year old daughter always is). One of my pet hates is seeing children running 20 metres in front of parents beside busy roads.

but more worrying is the issue of keeping anyone who has any issues with there vision safe. these trip hazards may not be seen by them and it will be even worse at night with no lights.

hopefully these will all be rectified before any mishaps occur and not as a result of a serious injury.

[kili1]

Hi I agree that the cobbles look better than what was there before. But the whole area looks very sterile and in summer it will be a hot walk with little shade and unless things change, no where to sit either. It's also featureless, I hope that that they will add some planters or some statuary. Like most others, I think that there should be some kind of barrier to stop people from falling in the sea. A low stone wall would have looked very attractive, provided seating and also given the cobbles some protection from the ravages of the waves, when there is a storm. I also hope that they will get the lighting sorted out before the area is fully opened to the public. Paphos is not as safe at night as it once was, if you're on foot. Some places such as the area around Bar St and Agapinorus St have had incidents from time to time at night. The harbour area being prime tourist territory must be safe & well lit.

I'm also curious as to how traffic will be controlled along the sea front. At present this area looks like the venue for a potential race track for hot hatches with huge exhausts, motor bikes or quad bikes to play in... I hope that this won't be allowed to happen.

Dee

[trevnhil]

Hi all. My daughter and her husband live in Glasgow, Scotland. They are coming to visit in a few weeks time and keep up to date re Cyprus by looking on CL. Obviously they have been following the "Harbour works" thread.
She has just sent the following Email, which may be of interest......

Hi, Donald and I were down at Largs today for a walk and while we were there we noticed that there are no railings. There is a small shingle beach but when the tide is in there is nothing to stop adults or children falling into the sea. You may want to pass this on to CL as there seems to be a lot of people worried about the lack of railings along the new prom. Now we come to think of it there is none at Helensburgh either.

Just another point of view from across the water. BUT. What have we always said.......... We shall see!!

Best wishes. Trev..

[Derektee]

I can think of examples here too where there are no railings guarding some substantial drops and not always with sea or sand to land on below sometimes concrete! These situations tend to date from quite some time ago when attitudes to safety were different., or are at harbour edges where rails interfere with free access to boats. However when upgrading works are done here the latest H&S paranoia seems to take over in UK and up go the railings with infill panels to stop children climbing or trying to develop their acrobatic skills and gates to allow access. Perhaps I have mis-read what appears to be pockets left in the cobbles in the photos? Some seats will surely be provided perhaps this is what pockets are for? Yeah I know wait and see... Can hardly wait now myself to get out there and walk along the new cobbles myself... sad init?

[Cappielow1]

Hi all. My daughter and her husband live in Glasgow, Scotland. They are coming to visit in a few weeks time and keep up to date re Cyprus by looking on CL. Obviously they have been following the "Harbour works" thread.
She has just sent the following Email, which may be of interest......

Hi, Donald and I were down at Largs today for a walk and while we were there we noticed that there are no railings. There is a small shingle beach but when the tide is in there is nothing to stop adults or children falling into the sea. You may want to pass this on to CL as there seems to be a lot of people worried about the lack of railings along the new prom. Now we come to think of it there is none at Helensburgh either.

Just another point of view from across the water. BUT. What have we always said.......... We shall see!!

Best wishes. Trev..

I stay just up the coast from Largs , and that's correct, this is an old pic but the frontage hasn't changed in years

[scotslass]

This has been a really interesting thread. I am sure that everyone who is based in the UK has appreciated the postings of your photographs Trevor.

I looks like a huge improvement to the sea front at Paphos and we will be taking a look at some point, when we are over in Cyprus next week.

Not so keen on the seafront at Largs though, probably just as dreich as an Aberdeen summer's day

[glenwrh]

Rhona,

I could'nt agree more.

Trev deserves a good few brandy sours for his excellent work... I for one will be looking to track him down Friday morning and treat him to a large one when over in 3 weeks.

Regards

Glenn

[Neil739]

Thank you for all the pics Trevor and all you dedicated sun lovers, we will
be down on the 15th of may, if it gets too hot at least you can sit on the edge with your feet in the water.

[Ken]

Took a walk along the granite front this morning along with a lot of others. If the missing blocks along the sea wall are for seating, it looks as though there will be a lot of them. It could well be that they are for a mix of seating and lighting, very difficult to work out from the random spacings, but it is certainly looking very good and a vast improvement on what was there befor. what will be interesting is what will happen when they let the cars in !!

[helen455636]

Great pic's as always Trev, intrigued we ventured along the front ourselves on Sunday.

We like the overall look, it feels so much more spacious but have a concern or two as others have said. No sea wall.... I've been on many seafronts without such protection and am not concerned rom a people point of view, but the water will swiftly take over if there's a storm and this does concern us.

There appear to be periodic gaps in the cobbles, assume these will be lighting but no evidence of seating although this could be around the base of the lights as we've seen elsewhere. The overall finish is OK but the gaps in the cobbles already harbour a collection of cig butts, I hope there will be plenty of bins or ashtrays provided as this would soon look very messy. Regarding any vehicles, there appears to be a designated roadway (with a drainage ditch one side) but only a change in cobbles on the seaward side, can't see the traffic keeping to this and where is the additional parking required.

As has been said, we have to wait and see.

[KandK]

Trev, great photos once again.

After many weeks of watching the photo update, we are coming to have a look for ourselves next weekend. Apart from understandable concern about railings, I agree with Milly about the old wall - when you were sitting on it you had your back to the sea.

Still, I like the look of it, and somehow it looks more like "open space", perhaps because there are no cars, buses and taxis.

Kevin

[discopants]

I thought he only drank Ribena !!!!!
Gary

[trevnhil]

I thought he only drank Ribena !!!!!
Gary

Hello Gary

[Christine&Donald]

Hi to one and all at CL this is our first post as we have just joined. We are looking forward to coming out to Paphos in less than two weeks time to see how the harbour is coming along. We spent a lot of time down there when we were in Paphos last year and it will be good to see the changes.

Will be glad to leave the cold, wet Glasgow weather behind for the sun and warmth of Cyprus.

[trevnhil]

Hello Christine and Donald..... Welcome to CyprusLiving, and I hope you spend many happy hours on this Forum. If you are out here in a couple of weeks you will be able to see me on a Friday lunchtime down at the harbour area.
In fact because you are from Scotland I will welcome you up to our house in Polemi for a meal with us whilst you are here. Just get in touch with me and all will be arranged.

Best wishes. Trev..

[Christine&Donald]

Hi Trev thanks for the invite. Since you asked so nicely we will accept a meal at yours in Polemi. Looking forward to meeting you

Christine & Donald x

[yummymummy150]

Hi chrstine&donald.All the best in cyprus hope to join you soon.
Tricia.
PS Tev i am scottish

[KEITH]

And one of my best mates is scottish

keith

[discopants]

And I like haggis !
Gary

[Cappielow1]

PS Tev i am scottish

So am I............................

Come on Trev, where's todays pics?

I'm due to leave for the airport in about 2 1/2 hours......................I can see for myself tomorrow, but would still like an update

[el tel]

He has probably been delayed due to signing autographs !

[funsun]

Just past the harbour area and noticed one of them stretch limo cars with flags on speeding through the town. I think Trev is just arriving or departing.

[trevnhil]

Hi All. I was down there again this lunchtime and the area is still just open to pedestrians. Whilst I was taking the pictures I met TWO couples today. So that I did not forget (as usual) who they were.....I wrote their names down. I met John and Shelia from Tremithousa, and also David and Karen. All of who are members.
Lots more places are open, both shops and restaurants. But there are still many places that have not finished their alterations, and some that appear not to have started yet. Particularly at the harbour end.

So here are today's pics.








































There you go then. Have a look at those whilst I type a post about the...."free meal deal"!!!.

Best wishes. Trev..

[trevnhil]

Hi Again. I know that some of you seem to like Haggis , and some of you like Scotch (drink) . Some of you may even be playing on my better nature by saying that you are Scottish

But Christine and Donald got the "Free meal deal" for one reason only.

They are my Daughter and her Husband, who joined without telling me

Sorry to all the others with any sort of Tartan


By the way I was offered a drink this afternoon, and turned it down.

Have a good weekend. Trev..

[discopants]

Thanks Trev, enjoyed them.
Looks like the beach has gone outside of Porto Paphos hotel.
Gary
PS Thought it was too good to be true, a Scot giving something away

[trevnhil]

I'm No A Scot!!!! I am from Gods wettest county, Lancashire.

Cheers. Trev..