Just over 7,000 tonnes of sand have been brought in from Jordan to turn the fairly dilapidated bay into a beach, and this phase of the embellishment of the bay and its surrounding areas is ahead of schedule and expected to be ready by next week.

Buying the sand, and bringing it to Malta, is expected to cost around Lm200,000, while the total cost of the embellishment project is expected to reach the Lm550,000 mark.

Tourism Minister Francis Zammit Dimech said the project, which is being overseen by the Malta Tourism Authority, will improve the overall image of the area which is widely frequented by both tourists and Maltese.

He said the beach will be floodlit at night and monitored in order to ensure that it is looked after.

Project manager George Micallef, who is also an MTA director, explained that the project includes the upgrading of the present drainage system while work on the water culverts is also expected to be completed by next week.

The work, which will stop for the summer months, will see the construction of a new promenade and the overall embellishment of the area.

When asked, architect John Ebejer explained that the sand is coarse and not as fine as that in Ghadira and Golden Bay. It was chosen after several studies – including one on the beach’s dynamics – and being heavier than other types it is less likely to be drawn out by the sea.

MTA chairman Chris Grech said that following discussion with the Malta Maritime Authority, the buoys for sea craft are being moved further out to a 60-metre mark from the beach. This area will be reserved for swimmers only and entry for sea craft will be forbidden.