The ministry filed an application for the development with Mepa some months ago.

“If there aren’t any major problems, the permit should be issued shortly,” informed sources told TMID. Apart from a detailed proposal, the ministry even produced a scale model of the final project.

The proposed promenade stretches for about one kilometre, starting just off the entrance leading to Wied Babu, going down to the road leading to Wied iz-Zurrieq.

Construction should follow the lines of similar projects undertaken by the ministry in recent months, such as the promenades in Marsascala and Bugibba and would, for the most part, be carried out by government employees.

Blueprints for the project include a succession of semi-circular viewing areas projecting out over the valley, like those developed for the prom-enade in St Julian’s, and it is proposed that the space underneath these projections will be used as water reservoirs.

The reservoirs may be used for local irrigation or else to supply water to other areas after being transported by bowser.

In line with similar work in other areas, the project includes proposals for a lighting system. However, this is being investigated after biologists pointed out that there are plant colonies in the area that may be harmed by exposure to light during the night.

Apart from being renowned for its natural beauty, this area is also very popular with people who enjoy walking through the countryside, especially during the summer. It is also very popular with joggers and cyclists who usually come from the nearby towns. Football nurseries also use the walkways all year round and take their young players to jog in the areas.