The Ramblers Association has welcomed the government’s decision to reclaim 60,000 square metres of coast between Fomm ir-Riħ and Ġnejna after 300 years in private hands.

The association was reacting to the article in The Sunday Times which reported that the stretch of land, which made up almost 20 per cent of the island’s territory, was now public land and parts would become accessible for leisurely walks.

The process had started last year when the association met ­Parliamentary Secretary Jason Azzopardi to discuss accessibility at Fomm ir-Riħ.

The association said it was “elated at the news of Dr Azzopardi’s historic breakthrough” and thanked him for his cooperation. In July 2008, the association had held a protest march from Baħrija to Fomm ir-Riħ to highlight the difficulty of access to the bay and other irregularities.

The association also welcomed the news that talks had been held with the landowners to secure a safer public passage to the bay at Fomm ir-Riħ.