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By James Morphakis / Cyprus-Mail.com

The Seatrack systems installed on beaches, which are designed to provide safe access to the sea for people with mobility impairments, are damaged by improper use, which sometimes prevents wheelchair users from entering the water, the Cyprus Council warned. Paraplegia organization on Friday.

The machines, which provide a rail system that allows a special chair to travel in and out of the water, have been installed on around a dozen beaches across the island, including Paphos, Yeroskipou, Limassol, Ayia Napa and Protaras.

The organization funded the installations, but its president, Dimitris Lambrianidis, said that damage caused by improper use of the equipment by the public causes problems for those who rely on it.

"I was notified of a case in which a paraplegic had gone to the beach and could not go into the sea because the machine had been damaged by non-paraplegic people," Lambrianidis told the news portal Reporter.

He said some beachgoers would sit on the railings, walk around or let children play on them, even though the devices are designed exclusively to assist people with mobility impairments.

"Some even lie down on the rails of the machine, and I really wonder how much responsibility these people have," he said.

The systems require the foundations to be anchored deep in the sand, which means that pressure or impact on the rails can lead to structural problems that require readjustment.

Damage to the supporting structure often requires repairs, which means that the equipment must be taken out of service during maintenance.

Beach maintenance is the responsibility of the municipalities, which are responsible for carrying out daily checks and minor maintenance operations, including the removal of sand, stones and other objects that could affect the proper functioning of the facilities.

Lambrianidis added that more than 40 beaches in Cyprus are equipped with special wheelchairs to facilitate access to the sea for people with disabilities, with lifeguards often helping users, although this is not part of their official duties.

He called on municipalities to deploy specialist staff to manage the accessibility equipment, as the responsibility is sometimes transferred to beach operators who are already engaged in the rental of sunbeds and umbrellas.

" It would be better if the municipalities had specialized staff, because these infrastructures have attracted our country and our population as tourists, " he said.

Lambrianidis added that accessible beaches have become an important factor for visitors with disabilities and online discussions are increasingly focused on destinations that offer suitable infrastructure.

He said increased controls alone were not the solution, arguing that better management would prevent abuse.

Andreas Vassiliou, co-founder of the digital platform Ablebook, which provides information about accessible facilities and services, also spoke to Sigma TV on Friday about reported cases of vandalism affecting accessibility infrastructure.

"Unfortunately, in Cyprus, as a society and culture, we do not have the appropriate education in such matters," he said.





Author: Guest post by Cyprus-Mail.com
Source: https://cyprus-mail.com/2026/07/17/misuse-of-disabled-beach-access-systems-leaves-users-stranded