St George's beach taking shape

A second batch of sand for the beach reclamation project in St George's Bay, St Julians, will be arriving from Jordan this weekend, just in time for the summer.

In all, 7,000 tons of sand are being shipped out from the Jordanian company Safi Dead Sea Products, with the first batch now being unloaded and spread out to create a sandy beach.

The beach should be ready in a few weeks' time, according to project leader consultant George Micallef.

The contract for the provision and transport of the sand is estimated to cost Lm200,000, while the total cost of the project is estimated at Lm550,000.

The government will foot the bill. Mr Micallef said that by next week work on the water culverts, alongside the bay, will be completed to ensure that when a storm hits, rain water will not wash away the sand.

In the coming days the pumping station situated nearby will be upgraded as an extra precaution against any leakage of sewage into the bay.

The Malta Tourism Authority will immediately be responsible for the beach management.

In October or November, works will resume on the promenade and the entire project should be wrapped up in time for the following summer.

Mr Micallef said tenders would soon be issued for the development and lease of facilities, including a catering outlet, a kiosk and a gazebo for the rental of deckchairs and open showers.