The Ramblers' Association said Wednesday it is informed that the Public Works Department has installed a barrier which is blocking public access to Fomm ir-Riħ from the Baħrija side. The barrier, which is obstructing the cliff side passage leading to the site, was installed following the collapse of the clay slopes and rock face atop Fomm ir-Riħ Bay, the group said in a statement.

The association said that this collapse only affects Fomm ir-Riħ Bay and not the nearby Fomm ir-Riħ pebble beach. This pebble beach is isolated from the main bay and visiting it poses no danger. At the moment, the barrier is blocking access to the pebble beach for no apparent reason, the group said.

It also stressed that this new barrier has created a further safety hazard in that visitors to the pebble beach now have to overcome this obstruction near the edge of the cliff face. As of the 16th of August, the association has observed several groups of people sunbathing at the pebble beach who must have had to overcome this hazard.

The association is thus calling on the Public Works Department to move this barrier to the coast of Fomm ir-Riħ bay, where the collapse has actually occurred. This is to provide a warning at the actual site of the collapse as well as to open access once again to the pebble beach.


Photo: Fomm ir-Riħ Bays - Main site of collapse shown by a red arrow, pebble beach shown by a green arrow.