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June 26 - Beach Improvement Details

Further to the previous statements issued by the Government, referring to beach improvements and accessibility facilities at the beaches, the Government would like to provide further details of services that have already been set up and remind all of what has been achieved in this term of office.

1. Pergolas providing an area for assistance with transfers to amphibious beach equipment.

2. New ramps have been provided at Camp Bay and Catalan Bay.

3. The ramps at Eastern Beach have been reconditioned.

4. Accessibility to the sea is available from the pergola to the shoreline at Eastern Beach.

5. The accessible toilets and changing facilities at Eastern Beach and Camp Bay have been modified to accommodate an overhead hoist tracking system. At Camp Bay the premises have also been enlarged in order to comply with building regulations.

6. At Catalan Bay a new accessible ramp has been built to connect the car park to the village.

7. Boulders and rocks have been cleared from the shoreline at Camp Bay.

The following is being addressed:

1. Each pergola at the beaches will have a mobile hoist in order to enable transfers. These will be in place with extra chairs to complement this in the next fortnight.

2. Improvements to accessibility to the sea will soon be installed from each pergola to the shoreline. This will be available in the first week of July.

3. Electronically adjustable beds for adults will shortly be installed in the accessible facilities at Eastern Beach and Camp Bay. These should be in place early next week.

4. A fully accessible toilet facility has been provided at Western Beach, which will be fully operational this weekend.

In addition, as detailed by the Hon Neil Costa MP, Minister for Tourism, Commercial Affairs, Public Transport and the Port in his budget address, HMGOG has so far provided overall beach facilities in an unprecedented manner.

Last year the GTB initiated weekly cleaning of all the beaches from 1st February, laying of all walkways from mid-May, the purchase of new lifeguard boats and the employment of senior lifeguards.

This year the initiatives include:

1. The purchase of three extra boats with engines for the lifeguards to cover the service in all our beaches.

2. The provision of a lifeguard weekend service as from 11th May, with a full lifeguard service as from 8th June.

3. The beach facilities, including showers, have been available as from 6th April.

4. External showers have been provided at all beaches.

5. A new beach umbrella store has been provided at Camp Bay and Catalan Bay. Another facility at Western Beach will be available this weekend.

6. A new toilet/changing room unit, including showers, has been provided at Western Beach and will be fully operational this weekend.

7. A Water park will be provided on a trial basis at Western Beach as soon final preparations have been made.

8. There-generation of Sandy Bay, which is on-going.

9. Jellyfish booms have been purchased for all the beaches, with the exception of Sandy Bay as works progress. The first boom has been placed on a trial basis at Western Beach. The other booms will be available, if necessary, from mid-July.

Commenting on the progress made the Hon Neil Costa MP, Minister for Tourism, Commercial Affairs, Public Transport and the Port said “The improvements to the beaches and in particular to the accessible facilities are a quantum leap forward. I am delighted that new products continue to be rolled out and will be in place for the height of the season. The respective teams working on providing these services are working very hard to ensure that our popular beaches are enjoyed like never before.”

The Hon Samantha Sacramento MP, Minister for Equality, Social Services & the Elderly added, “This year all those visiting our beaches, not only those with limited mobility, will greatly benefit from all the proposed accessibility improvements, which this Government has committed to address in an unprecedented manner.”

HMGOG will be pleased to issue updates on these facilities as they are progressively made available this year.