Gibraltar’s beaches to be replenished

A Gibraltar Government spokesman said the work would involve the use of a suction dredger to hydraulically place sand and replenish the beaches. The work was expected take approximately three weeks.

From 3 May to 9 May, Catalan Bay Beach was due to be closed to the general public to allow the contractor to assemble the floating pipeline to be connected to the dredger. Dredging and beach nourishment works here were expected to commence on 6 May. 10 to 17 May was due to see the dredger and sand moving plant and equipment move to Sandy Bay for the operations. During the period of 18 to 21 May the contractor was expected demobilise equipment.

A Gibraltar Government spokesman said, “This operation is intended to maximise the usage of Catalan Bay Beach, and to recreate Sandy Bay for the summer season. There is of course the risk that storms will destroy part of the work to be done although it will be possible to top up any sand lost in that way.”