Sochi residents complain about closure of Imereti Lowland beaches

In Sochi, about 100 residents of the village of Mirny have appealed to the City Mayor and the Governor of the Krasnodar Territory with a request to open access to the beaches of the Imereti Lowland for residents and guests of the resort during the summer season. Officials from the City Administration have stated that the issue goes beyond the competence of the local authorities, since the fenced territory represents an object of federal property.

The residents of the village of Mirny feel nervous that because of the fence separating them from the beach, guests will not go to the resort. In their appeal, the residents of Mirny note that wheelchair users, who also live in the village, are deprived of the possibility for a smooth passage to the sea.

According to Olga Rumyantseva, a village activist, this is the second activists' appeal to the authorities. According to her story, the activists sent their first appeal about a month ago; however, no response followed.

Throughout the entire territory of the Olympic Park, the beaches of the Imereti Lowland are fenced and guarded by staff members of the private security companies. The works to construct a Formula-1 circuit are not connected with the beaches, and the pedestrian traffic is unlikely to affect those works.

Earlier, the residents of the village of Mirny have complained that the construction of the Olympic facilities on artificial embankments had caused flooding threat. However, the Sochi City Administration announced the preparation of documents for payments of compensation to the owners of the damaged houses.