The recent article on the coastal defence in Marsalforn has raised a few eyebrows in town. We are all very aware of the problem of the collapsed breakwater but had no idea that people were confusing the present problem by thinking about extending the beach.

The beach in Marsalforn is defined on two sides by the road and the harbour, the third side by the water line of the sea. On the fourth side it is defined by the flow of the Marsalforn valley river, a dry bed in summer but often a flowing torrent during the winter storms.

Throw as many millions of euros at this beach but no one will beat nature: the winter flows will cut it apart.

So getting back to the problem. Last week, one could not walk along the seafront for two days with the stormy sea lashing up onto the street. All the businesses there were closed. The old breakwater did its job for nearly 50 years and its replacement must be the simplest and cheapest solution.

Most important of all the work can be done without any interference with the business life or the enjoyment of the inhabitants (tourists and locals) of the town. A plus would also be to use as much local concrete, stone, materials and labour as possible to boost the local economy. Importing patented systems from abroad is not a clever practice; charity begins at home.

Coastal defences are replaced and repaired all around the planet and it does not take summer weather to get the job done, just good planning and preparations for all eventualities.

Please keep it simple, tackle the problem itself and forget trying to do God’s work on a beach where one will surely fail.