It is good to know that there will be a 10-year plan to address environmental issues and to beautify places. Much has already been achieved. It is hoped that the rocky coastal environment will also be improved and not forgotten as always. I refer to the environment at the water’s edge, which is always referred by local councils as belonging to the Malta Maritime Authority. To their credit swimming zones have improved the lot of the swimmers which is what many tourists come to enjoy with their families.

The coast in Malta is the playground of Maltese families. However, the shore is often left so wild, crude, dishevelled and so primeval that it is dangerous and certainly not safe to take older children and adults to relax by the sea. It has been a good 30 years since most piers and quays have been levelled or cemented and made walkable.

The shallow rocky areas, which become swimming bays, must also have the big rock boulders (which accumulate at the shallow mouth of the bay) pulled and pushed into the deep end to make the bays a little safer.

Why is it that certain pointed rocks are not levelled and smoothened slightly so that access to the sea is facilitated?

It is also important that cars and trucks are not allowed to drive right to the water’s edge where people are drying or sunbathing. Parking is not allowed on sandy beaches, so why are they allowed on the rocky foreshore? Sandy beaches and perched beaches need not be the only swimming areas in Malta. In fact many people prefer rocky areas.

There are so many rocky bays around Malta which can be rehabilitated and used by Maltese and tourists alike, increasing accessibility to the sea and enjoyment of our small but beautiful island.