This is one of the most direct and honest articles I have read regarding Ghadira Bay (David Pace, TMID, 25th July).

You hit the nail on the head and I would like to recommend that you send a copy of this letter to the people at the Malta Maritime Authority and of course to the Mellieha local council in case they missed this issue. There were a lot of accidents, even deaths at this beach because of boats cruising too close to the populated area.

Who is going to enforce the law? As you perfectly put it, the Dons and the unlicensed vendors have taken over the beach and the Mellieha council has a big problem telling them to move out. This beach needs to be cleaned up from one end to the other and stop the business-as-usual attitude.

No cement blocks or umbrellas should be put on the beach until someone goes inside the establishment and rents the umbrella. If the council can do away with BBQs they can just as well get rid of the unlicensed vendors along the beach.

Install more public toilets and try to find a way to provide more parking. The old caravan parking spot would be ideal. But then, is that is too much to ask? I am sure the Mellieha council is aware of all this but it takes a lot of planning to implement these actions.

All this has been going on for far too long and it's hard to stop it. I think the local council is on the right track and will eventually clean up this beach, but it needs the help of the government and the cooperation of the general public. Yes Ghadira Beach should be recognized as one of the top beaches in Europe and I do believe that the council is working very hard to see that happen, but in the mean time they might have to step over some heavy toes to make all this come through.

Joseph Calleja

Manteca, Ca