Public foreshore encroachment

I wish to ask the competent authorities whether they have granted any right or permit to a few individuals recently to place large tents (accompanied by huge sheets and other paraphernalia, including noisy generators) on the public foreshore while blocking access to the public beach in Bahar ic-Caghaq (behind the Splash and Fun Park). Besides being aesthetically ugly, these "campers" make matters worse by having the cheek to look unfavourably on anyone wishing to use any part of the public beach in this area.

This is but one instance of abuse by individuals under the pretext of "camping" or "caravanning", as well as an inevitable first step towards the establishment of ugly "beach rooms" as evidenced in other parts of Bahar ic-Caghaq itself and in other localities such as Mellieha, Armier and Gnejna.

It is high time that the authorities dealt with the increasing occupation of private land (whether by private individuals or by developers) to the detriment of the rest of us. We all know that after mounting tents or caravans for months on end, the next step will be a bit of concrete here and there and before you know it we will have another set of beach rooms restricting our rights to free access to an unspoilt and undeveloped beach!

What I cannot understand is why such beachside dwellers are allowed to illegally occupy this land, to everyone else's detriment, year in, year out? Are the rest of us law-abiding citizens not also hard workers needing a seaside break and who enjoy our free time without resorting to occupying public land? Why do these individuals consider taking over this land as a right? Are the rest of us taxpayers and voters not right in expecting our elected representatives to do something about this sorry state of affairs?

When seeing the stand taken by the major political parties in this regard, I do not really expect any major developments. But there is no harm in hoping. The authorities cannot ever claim to have been unaware of the situation as I am hereby making the details publicly known. Law abiding citizens demand action and enforcement by the authorities.

Ultimately, what galls me is that we deserve much better and that the majority of the Maltese seem resigned to losing yet another of their beaches to these abusive few! The Maltese need to stand up more for what is rightfully theirs as a whole!