Caravans blighting Mistra Bay since the start of last month seem to have become a permanent feature, with the authorities reluctant to take action.

Tents have also sprung up in a number of fields up the valley.

As a result, bathers have no other option than to try to find the few spots still unoccupied.

The issue was originally raised by Times of Malta a month ago and prompted planning authority enforcement officers to request two caravan owners to leave from the foreshore.

This order was given in accordance with an enforcement order issued two years ago.

According to Mepa, the onus to remove the rest of the caravans is on the police as they are on the road. However, the police have not yet replied to questions sent by this newspaper on July 24.

Malta Tourism Authority chairman Gavin Gulia yesterday told Times of Malta that this further illustrates the need to have one body managing public beaches. He said that present enforcement on beaches is full of grey areas and is split between various entities including the MTA, the police, Mepa and the Land Department.

Dr Gulia said the authority is only responsible for managing the nine blue-flag beaches.

However, having successfully tackled the ‘umbrella wars’ at Għadira Bay, with lido operators now restricted to 40 per cent of the beach, he is optimistic that other issues such as the one at Mistra can be addressed.

Concerns have also been raised about the lack of sanitary facilities at Mistra.

One reader, who asked to remain anonymous, told Times of Malta that an early morning or late night visit would reveal the extent of the problem, when people can be seen disposing of their waste in the sea or in nearby fields.

“If authorities keep turning a blind eye, the situation here will get out of hand like it did at il-Magħluq in Marsaxlokk last year, when authorities only acted when it was too late,” said the source.