Much has been said over the past years over the irrational love for more and more tarmac that has come to signify the debate around Malta’s roads – but a new piece of asphalt mere metres away from the picturesque Ghar Lapsi is perhaps among the most absurd proof of Malta’s love affair with tarmac yet.

Mayor of Siggiewi Dominic Grech, on Wednesday, posted on the Facebook page "Siggiewi - Citta' Ferdinand" updating people about the second day of works being carried out to construct a tarmac ramp at Ghar Lapsi. Works are being carried out by workers from the Public Works Department, in collaboration with the Siggiewi Local Council.

"A job that we will complete in a few days so that everyone can enjoy this beautiful beach again safely in the summer months," Grech wrote.

The anger came thick and fast.

"It needs to be removed and redone with a material which is of natural colour and which does not exude toxicity into the sea," one person commented.

Other commenters were worried that the tarmac will slowly "decay" over time and end up in the sea, especially after "stormy weather."

Another person commented about how the black colour will cause an issue: It will eventually raise the temperature in the summer heat drastically... A light-coloured surface finish to compliment the beautiful bay with a good grip for access for all."

"Is it possible that around the committee table, nobody came up with an alternative idea to tarmac? Is it possible that we have reached such a low point that we have no alternative ideas left?" another person questioned.

That final question is most pertinent.  Has our country’s love affair with tarmac come so far that we now consider it as being the best option for what is a ramp down to a bay?

To say that this is not a smart idea is an understatement.

Who will be held responsible for the environmental damage that will be caused when the oils of the asphalt are washed into the sea?  Who will be responsible when the asphalt itself inevitably comes loose at the first storm and ends up in the sea?

Ghar Lapsi is as picturesque a bay as they come, but unfortunately it seems that those responsible are committed to finding new and innovative ways in order to place the little we have left at risk of human-caused environmental degradation.

The mayor insisted that all the necessary permits have been acquired, and really it is difficult to understand how even a body like the Environment & Resources Authority (ERA) could have given this the green light.

If, that is, the ERA even had to give the greenlight for this.  If one can simply carry out such works in such close proximity to such an important piece of our environment, then this matter goes beyond the 20 metre or so stretch of asphalt.

In the meantime, though one can only hope now that some sort of common sense prevails and that the asphalt is replaced by a less intrusive and more environmentally friendly material which will not end up inhabiting the sea bed after the first storm.