Kibkom North Cyprus Forum

Hi all,

Was planning a trip to the reservoir to show my brother but have been told there is now a barrier? Is it just to stop people driving ? Seems crazy but Hey we're in Cyprus So can we walk up there or is it to stop that also.

We took visitors two weeks ago. You can drive up to the left of the reservoir but as you reach it you need to leave your car and walk.

It's great that the barrier is there otherwise the place would be strewn with rubbish. There's plenty of room to park and you can walk as far as you like.

Yes that's great for the people without mobility problems, but with my husbands arthritic knees he won't get far. The picnic areas that can be seen across from the opposite viewpoint look lovely but sadly out of reach for a lot of people.

Exactly Gilly, a lot of people cannot "walk as far as they like" and there is far too little consideration for them by those who can.

The picnic areas aren't being used yet as far as I know, certainly the cafeteria and lodges nearest the barrier aren't yet fully complete. We were recently allowed through the barrier in two Kuskor vehicles to conduct a survey on the stipulation that we did not eat a picnic and returned within one hour, so they are taking the rubbish issue seriously. I'm sorry if those with restricted mobility feel discriminated against - maybe this is something to take up with the authorities, but judging by the mounds of crap (sometimes literally) left behind at other picnic areas I think the current policy is the correct one.

I seem to remember that the original plan included some form of "Dolmus" transport to eventually take people from the barrier to the picnic sites once everything is completed.

Frontalman: I do not think the disabled are responsible for the rubbish. Why should the disadvantaged innocent be punished for the guilty

What is the walking surface like. Is there a footpath is it suitable for wheelchairs and disability scooters? And at the other end of the scale for pushchairs and toddlers to walk?

Paul's idea of some sort of park and ride is a good one, particularly if it is ecological, say donkey drawn!

What is the car park llike please, and how far is the walk to the picnic area?

imho large, plentiful and colourful dustbins, frequently emptied and supplemented by litter wardens and heavy fines, is the best way to deter litter louts . not making life even less pleasant for those who already have difficulties.

Where is the barrier? The last time I went there (2 years ago) I went in up the mountain road crossed the bridge to the viewing area with the steps, had lunch on the picnic table there then left via a road leading by a garage and cafe onto the main road, has this all changed?

Ragged Robin wrote:Frontalman: I do not think the disabled are responsible for the rubbish. Why should the disadvantaged innocent be punished for the guilty

What is the walking surface like. Is there a footpath is it suitable for wheelchairs and disability scooters? And at the other end of the scale for pushchairs and toddlers to walk?

Paul's idea of some sort of park and ride is a good one, particularly if it is ecological, say donkey drawn!

What is the car park llike please, and how far is the walk to the picnic area?

imho large, plentiful and colourful dustbins, frequently emptied and supplemented by litter wardens and heavy fines, is the best way to deter litter louts . not making life even less pleasant for those who already have difficulties.

I don't think the disabled are responsible for the rubbish, it's those without a social conscience! The drive up to the barrier is off-road, that's not to say you need an off-road vehicle but it is over track rather than road. We go up past the cemetery which avoids driving across the dam. There is no car park, you just park where you can. As for the walk, it is a mountain track with fairly steep gradients in places. We are used to walking over wild terrain so it is easy for us but not suitable for wheelchairs/pushchairs/crutches I'm afraid. You might be OK with a disability scooter but I wouldn't risk the dirt and damage myself. I'm sorry but this area isn't really a nature park and the disabled haven't really been considered so far. Maybe that will change once all the facilities are open and established. I've a feeling that the perceived attraction of the place is not met by the reality! What I mean is that it's a nice place to walk dogs because you don't need to take water for them, but not sure I would go just for the exercise and the scenery (or picnic).

Thanks for that very useful info Frontalman. Disabled access is now irrelevant for me, as I cant even get my small elderly saloon as far as the Cemetary which distresses me a lot more. Nor will it carry my scooter!

However I do feel that this is the type of place where disabled access should be a priority and as it is not in the Cypriot inheritance it is not inappropriate for the Expatriates to set an example.

Thinking about this two points have occurred to me:

1. Surely the whole point about having a picnic area is to contain the damage by people, including rubbish. Cypriots may not get as upset as some Brits about rubbish, but they do take fire risks very, very seriously and broken bottles, fag ends and matches and smouldering fires are all dangerous.Could not someone suggest to the authorities that suitable action should be taken to prevent littering? Perhaps Kuskor as rubbish is also hazardous for birds, and presumably the organization has some Turkish speakers.

2, Maybe I am slipping into "the realms of fantasy" here: but I used to ride horses? Is there any chance of hiring a donkey to negotiate the footpath?