The Balluta Bay beach sand nourishment project has concluded, and is now open to the public, St Julian's Mayor Guido Dalli confirmed with The Malta Independent.

Studies had been carried out a few years ago and the MTA had decided that, rather than import sand, it would collect the sand that is dispersed on the seabed throughout the bay and put it back in place, thereby extending the beach from its previous size.

This newsroom contacted Mayor Dalli, who received confirmation from the Malta Tourism Authority that the project concluded and that the bay has been re-opened The bay will have more amenities than before, including bins for recycling, showers, lifeguards and beach supervisors, he said.

The Mayor said that he is pleased with the outcome, and thanked MTA's Mark Scerri Simiana, Stephanie Attard and Architect Kevin Fsadni who, he said, were responsible in coordinating the works over the past weeks. He appealed to all residents and tourists making use of the bay to take care of the new amenities, and expressed hope that this sand nourishment exercise remains a long-term success.