Proposal for safe pedestrian route from Old Town to Gouvia Marina

Over the last few years many people choose to follow the scenic route along the Emporiko Kentro and Eth. Paleokastritsa Rd for exercise or relaxation. The route, however, is unsuitable and even dangerous and Gouvia Cultural Society is proposing the creation of a safe route linking the Old Town to Gouvia Marina which would also be an attraction for visitors.

The Society's statement:

It is a fact that our town and island are lacking in the necessary infrastructure to provide conditions for a better quality of life for residents and improve the tourist experience for visitors.

Over the last few years hundreds of members of the public have been using Eth. Paleokastritsa Rd for walking, running and cycling. They usually set off from Emporiko Kentro, pass through Alykes and end up at Sotiriotissa.

It is a scenic route along the shore with views of Lazaretto, Vidos Island, the coastline of northeast Corfu. Although it is an extremely scenic route, however, the conditions are both unsuitable and dangerous due to the fact, one would say, that the specifications for the construction of the pavement were drawn up aas a formality and without due care or provision for other uses.

For the above reasons, we would like to request that a study be done for the construction of a suitable route linking the Old Town (Spilia) to Gouvia Marina for the use of walkers, cyclists, those with special needs and runners. The route would be approximately 7km in length and would provide safe conditions for both residents and visitors to walk and exercise.

The reverse route would be especially useful as thousands of visitors based at Gouvia Marina, Gouvia and Kontokali would have the opportunity to visit Corfu Old Town. Moreover, the increased use of bikes would relieve the traffic problem in the town. An important factor would be the existence of outdoor sports facilities and a skateboard park halfway along the route as well as sufficient toilets and drinking water.

The above proposal is clearly a medium to long-term vision but it is our duty to dream of the development of our island in the future. A future that aims to improve the quality of life both in the town and outside. A future that will make Corfu a tourist destination with comprehensive, modern infrastructure.

Despite the many terrible consequences of the pandemic, our community has developed habits such as walking and exercising, which we need to continue. Our aim is to look at all possible ways of implementing this.

We hope that our proposal can be a seed which will be taken and cultivated by the local community and local authority so that it can thrive.