HM Government of Gibraltar announces that major coastal protection and beach regeneration works will shortly be carried out in Sandy Bay beach following extensive engineering studies of the coastal processes affecting the beach.
The works will entail the construction of offshore coastal defences in the form of curved groynes at each end of Sandy Bay.
The project has been awarded to Van Oord (Gibraltar) Ltd, an experienced coastal engineering contractor, with works scheduled to commence on site within the coming weeks.
This project is one of the Government’s manifesto commitments and one that will see Sandy Bay’s regeneration. Although at present the beach is virtually non-existent, a first phase of sand importation will be undertaken in order to allow the public to enjoy a reasonably sized beach during this summer.
Other than for the initial stages, the construction of the groynes will be mainly undertaken from the sea.
Inconvenience to beach goers will therefore be kept to a minimum during the execution of the works.
Commenting on the above, the Minister for Tourism,Commercial Affairs, Public Transport and the Port, the Hon Neil Costa MP said:
“ As was recently announced in respect of the dust solution in Catalan Bay, the Government had set up an Inter- Ministerial Committee comprising of my Ministry and the Ministries for the Environment and Technical Services. The Committee, consisting also of the Chief Technical Officer and officials from the Environment and Technical Services, met on various occasions to discuss the most effective way to replenish Sandy Bay beach and to provide a permanent solution to protect the beach from all but disappearing, as, unfortunately, had been allowed to happen.
It therefore gives me great pleasure, on behalf of HM Government of Gibraltar, to have the privilege to announce that works will commence shortly to re-sand Sandy Bay Beach and protect it from the elements now and in the future. As a Government, we are committed to fully restore this forgotten beach for the benefit and enjoyment of all. ”
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Press Release, May 3, 2013