Gibraltar's much improved beaches and beach parking facilities are in full swing as the summer season with its soaring temperatures

continues its slow and relaxed rhythm enjoyed by bathers young and old alike. Above, a panoramic view of Eastern Beach taken yesterday afternoon.

Gibraltar Government is investigating complaints by members of the public that Catalan Bay has been affected by inordinate amounts of dust which was becoming an annoyance to bathers.

Works to remedy this problem will begin today after beach hours and will take a few days to complete. No inconvenience to bathers is expected.

A Government spokesman said: "There has been some public concern expressed about the dustiness of the sand at Catalan Bay. This sand has been analysed and the result shows that the chemical composition of the sand at Catalan Bay is what naturally exists in this part of the world.

 
"There is no contamination or other chemical composition problem with the sand.

There is an issue with sand dust caused by the smaller and lighter sand particles taking longer to settle than the heavier sand particles. This has not occurred at Sandy Bay (where the same sand was placed) because at Sandy Bay the sea has washed up all the way up to the top of the beach and washed away the dust from the whole beach.

"At Catalan Bay the sea has only washed up to one third of the way to the top of the beach and thus cleared the dust only from the one-third of the beach nearest the sea.

In order to eliminate the unpleasant and nuisance aspects of this dust the Government is, as of next week, taking measures to wash away the dust from the rest of Catalan Bay beach. Work will commence on Monday after beach-hours, and will take a few days to complete. Use of the beach during the day will not be affected."

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