PA orders removal of gate blocking access at Baħrija

The Planning Authority has issued an order for the removal of yet another gate blocking a public pathway in the countryside, this time leading to Blata tal-Melħ, a scenic spot on Baħrija’s coastline, popular with hikers.
The gate, which was spotted by hikers last week, required a permit to be installed.
A spokesperson for the PA confirmed the structure had been put up illegally, adding that “the contravener has been instructed to remove the gate.
“Further action will be taken if such instructions are not complied with,” the spokesperson added.
There has been growing public attention lately to illegal gates blocking off access to public pathways. A recent example was a metal gate that had closed off access to the secluded beach of Fomm ir-Riħ, which sparked an outcry before it was removed.
The Ramblers Association first flagged the structure at Baħrija last Wednesday, saying that “someone simply placed a gate there and decided to close off access”.
“The passageway that the gate blocks leads to a scenic spot known as Blata tal-Melħ, a popular area with ramblers,” association president Ingram Bondin stated when reached for a comment.

“This passageway is also the main access point...