MEPA and the Resources Ministry have started a campaign to reduce the height of countryside rubble walls in line with policies issued by the authority.

A number of workers this morning started demolishing parts of rubble walls between Ghar Lapsi and Hagar Qim when they were found to be higher than the permissible limit of 1.2 metres. The area is a scheduled buffer zone around the temples.

Resources Minister George Pullicino had referred to the campaign when he spoke in the Budget debate in Parliament late last year, saying high walls were denying the people the proper enjoyment of the countryside.

The owners of the walls had been given notices warning of the action, but some protested loudly this morning when the workers turned up. However the officer in charge said the biggest problem was the rain.

The rubble from the walls is being deposited in a quarry or will be recycled for use in Resources Ministry projects.