The Paphos community of Tremithousa has experienced significant population growth in recent years, prompting the development of new infrastructure and cultural projects, community leader Christofis Petrou said on Tuesday.

However, speaking to the Cyprus News Agency, he noted that several issues remain unresolved, including the construction of a long-delayed bridge to connect the area with the industrial zone of Mesogi, as well as the problem of uncontrolled rubbish dumping.

He said that while 25 years ago, the community numbered about 700 residents, today this number has grown to 2,000 following an influx of European citizens.

“In recent years, there has been population growth, which shows that the village is evolving and attracting new residents,” he said.

He added that the primary school, which had just 16 pupils 25 years ago, now has 55, with a further 40 students attending schools outside the community.

Tremithousa also serves as the administrative centre for the cluster of communities including Tala, Kili, Mesogi, Mesa Chorio and Armou.

The planned bridge linking Tremithousa with the Mesogi industrial area has been dubbed the “bridge of Arta” due to repeated delays.

The bridge of Arta is a historic stone bridge over the Arachthos river in Greece. It symbolises a notoriously delayed project that requires constant effort to complete, often referenced by the phrase: “All day they were building it, and in the night it would collapse”.

The project was first proposed in 2003 with an estimated cost of around 250,000 Cyprus pounds, but construction never began.

By 2007, the estimated cost had risen to 800,000 pounds, and in 2010 an offer of €1,1 million was put forward.

Petrou said that although initial work on the bridge’s columns began, a dispute between the contractor and the authorities led to a financial claim, which was rejected by the ministry, causing the project to stall.

The bridge was brought to the attention of the President in 2025 but when the ministry of communications and works estimated a total cost of €3.4 million, the project was once again shelved.

The bridge “is considered important, as it will facilitate access to the industrial area, where mainly garage owners, electricians and carpenters are active,” Petrou said, adding that the area includes 39 plots used by professionals.

Currently to get there, an indirect route through Emba has to be followed.

Petrou also highlighted uncontrolled fly-tipping of waste and old furniture as another serious problem facing the community.