How public is public land?
Photos of a metal gate blocking public access to the picturesque Fomm ir-Rih bay led to feelings of anger and consternation this week, not only among environmentalists but also by many members of the public who often frequent the area.
Access to Fomm ir-Rih bay has been a hot issue for many years because part of the area forms part of a private estate. After several protests, the landowner had finally constructed a path down to the beach but the public was once again being denied access to the area.
It was reported yesterday that access has since been restored, but the sad truth is that this was not an isolated case. Far from it.
A few years back, the government made a big fuss about the Public Domain Act, which is supposed to ensure the protection and public access to the foreshore, valleys and other zones.
But the truth of the matter is that there are many areas around Malta and Gozo that remain closed to the general public. It seems, in fact, that these no-go areas are increasing.
A case in point is Wied Qirda in Zebbug – an area that was until recently very popular for hiking and picnics.
To give a brief description, the valley itself is quite deep and is flanked by two rocky ridges. There is a pathway on each ridge, which at times pass through privately-owned fields. These pathways lead all the way from Zebbug to Qormi and Siggiewi.
Over the past few weeks, some of the landowners put up bright red no-entry signs, blocking off access to the areas beyond their property.
Effectively, this means that while people could, until recently, go for an hour’s walk along the valley ridges, they can now only walk a couple of hundred metres into the area before having to turn back.
The only part that remains accessible is the valley bed itself which, during winter is often filled with water and mud and can be quite dangerous.
While we understand that people have a right to own property in the countryside, access to public roads should not be denied, even if they go through private property.
Another such example can be found at the Majjistral Park, where the so-called Heritage Trail ends abruptly against a recently-erected rubble wall that forms part of a private field.
People walking on the trail are not allowed to pass through the property, where bird trapping takes place, and have to go over jagged garrigue instead.
What is the point of setting up a heritage trail if the experience comes to an abrupt halt, blocked by private property?
Malta has a huge problem when it comes to open green areas, and this shortage of space has been further highlighted by the Covid-19 pandemic, since people now prefer going for a walk in the countryside than frequenting populated areas.
It has now become amply clear that all the talk about giving open spaces back to the people was mostly political propaganda because, in reality, we are still being denied access to many of our last few remaining green areas.
On this issue too, politicians should really put their money where their mouth is.