Ghadira beach to grow by 34,500 sq metres with new road - ministry

The Infrastructure Ministry said this afternoon that in objecting to the new Ghadira Road, Labour leader Joseph Muscat was objecting to a much needed 34,500 square metre extension of the sandy beach.

The ministry explained that the existing road would be removed once the new one was built, thus restoring the link between the beach and the valley behind it.

Contrary to what many thought, one of the most important elements for the regeneration of the beach was the sediment from the valley, the ministry said.

Malta had lost the beaches at Marsalforn, Xlendi and Balluta, because roads were built behind them.

In contrast, however, this new road would make possible the biggest beach extension ever in Malta, upgrading an important element for the tourism industry.

The ministry noted that Dr Muscat had proposed an ‘Irish bridge’ instead of a new road further inland, but this had been objected to by the same NGOs which were now opposing the new project.