It has urged the general public to support the campaign launched by Mr Lino Bugeja for the setting up of a ramblers association and to end the “no entry” signs scattered all over the countryside.

AD’s spokesman on the environment and rural affairs Mark Causon

added: “Authorities are duty-bound to publish official demarcation lines identifying public land. It is shameful that we are still receiving reports of people who are threatened by foul language, shotguns and dogs because they venture on public land illegally occupied by squatters”.

Causon also noted that the Malta Environment and Planning Authority lays down that the public has a right of access to land up to 10 metres from the shoreline.

“In reality, access to our coast is limited by private beach concessions,

illegal squatters and unsustainable coastal development,” said Mr Causon. “ Free access to our beaches is also being limited by operators who put up their sun beds on the best parts of our beaches. Thus people are expected to pay just to relax on our beaches. The authorities should stop sanctioning illegality”.The Green Party urged the public to support the campaign launched by Lino Bugeja to set up a ramblers association and to end the “no entry” signs scattered all over the countryside.

AD spokesman on the environment and rural affairs Mark Causon added: “Authorities are duty bound to publish official demarcation lines identifying public land. It is shameful that we are still receiving reports of people who are threatened by foul language, shotguns and dogs because they venture in public land illegally occupied by squatters.”

Mr Causon also noted that the Malta Environment and Planning Authority lays down that the public has a right of access to land up to 10 metres from the shoreline.

“In reality, access to our coast is limited by private beach concessions, illegal squatters and unsustainable coastal development. Free access to our beaches is also being limited by operators who are putting up their sun beds in the best parts of our beaches. Thus people are expected to pay just to relax on our beaches. The authorities should stop sanctioning illegality,” he said.