Free access to popular beaches

I take this opportunity, since summer is well underway, to urge the government to enforce the law and clamp down on operators who occupy the best spots on Malta's most popular beaches with umbrellas and sun beds.

The relevant authorities should ensure that access to the beach is not hindered in any way and that deck chairs are only put out on demand. As a regular visitor to Little Armier, I cannot but note the abuse by the owner of the kiosk adjacent to the sandy beach.

Many have already insisted through the years in newspapers etc. that beach furniture should only be available when requested by the client and no area of our beaches should be occupied by any kiosk or beach establishment. So far, this call has fallen on deaf ears.

From experience, it is evident that beach concessions intrude on the beaches and deprive people of the right to swim and sunbathe freely as large areas are taken up by private enterprise. The public should not have to pay to use the beach but kiosk operators should only place beach gear on the sand when a client requests it. The problem is that often, instead of laying down the furniture on request, kiosk operators place a considerable number of beach furniture on the sand early in the morning ready for hiring, taking up most of the front part of the sandy beach.

Finally, the Maltese coastline is too limited for the authorities to allow the development of exclusive and private beaches. Legally, the public has a right to access the first 10 metres of the foreshore. Joe Public does have rights, you know.