Anger is growing in Italy over the mass privatisation of beaches by exclusive clubs and bars that have been accused of stealing the nation’s coastline.
For decades, Italians have paid for the comfort of sunbeds, umbrellas and beachside bars at beach clubs and in return, large portions of the shoreline remained open to everyone.
But furious locals now say private concessions are swallowing more of the coast.
In Liguria, Emilia-Romagna and Campania, nearly 70 per cent of beaches are now under private control, while in some resorts, only three per cent remain free to access.
The Italian daily La Stampa described the spread of beach clubs as a ‘silent expropriation’ and warned: ‘In Italy, they are stealing even the seaside. Free beaches are becoming ever rarer. And those which are not free are ever more expensive.’
The situation has sparked many protests across the country, where people demand that beaches be accessible to the public.
Matteo Hallissey, head of the +Europa party, was shoved and pushed to the ground at Lavinio, south of Rome, after protesting against signs declaring a private beach. He told The Telegraph that ‘people are sick and tired of the situation’
He said: ‘Year by year, the beach establishments take over more space, eating into what used to be free beach areas. We are seeing a lot more protests.
A line of umbrellas at a beach in Rome. Anger is boiling over in Italy as exclusive private beach clubs tighten their grip on the nation’s coastline
The Italian daily La Stampa described the spread of beach clubs as a ‘silent expropriation’ and warned: ‘In Italy, they are stealing even the seaside
‘People are increasingly aware of what is going on. Not only are the beach clubs expanding, they’re increasing their prices each year. And the staff are often rude.’
The cost of a beach day has risen sharply, with consumer group Altroconsumo reporting rental fees up 17 per cent in four years.
In Lazio, a pair of sunbeds and an umbrella costs around €30, while in hotspots such as Gallipoli the price can soar to €90, according to The Guardian.
Massimo Melpignano of Konsumer Italia said: ‘In reality, all beaches should be free and there should be no cases in which people are denied access to the water’s edge to have a swim.
‘Beach clubs are permitted to manage a public asset and to charge people for the services they offer, but they cannot run the beach as if it was their private property.’
Authorities have intervened in several regions – police in Basilicata seized hundreds of loungers and umbrellas illegally placed on public beaches.
In Sicily, turnstiles set up at Mondello to control entry to the sand were ordered to be removed.
Giusi Savarino, a regional politician, said: ‘People must be allowed to reach the sea freely and without paying.
The cost of a beach day in Italy has risen sharply, with consumer group Altroconsumo reporting rental fees up 17 per cent in four years
Authorities have intervened in several regions – they have seized hundreds of loungers and umbrellas illegally placed on public beaches
‘No authorisation was granted for the turnstiles, and they will be removed.’ MP Ismaele La Vardera called it ‘a victory not just for Mondello but for all Sicilians.’
In Bacoli near Naples, mayor Josi Della Ragione has led a campaign against what he calls the hereditary grip of beach operators.
He said: ‘Fathers hand down these places to their sons, grandfathers to their grandchildren.
‘There has been a continual privatisation of beaches.’ The mayor has demolished illegal walls and fences and returned 10,000 square metres of sand to the public.
He added: ‘For too long, beach operators have used the coast for their own private gain. But I’m not giving up.’
The controversy has reached Rome, where opposition leader Elly Schlein claims economic hardship is pushing families away from the coast.
However, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has dismissed her comments as ‘fake news’, insisting holiday numbers are actually up.
Meanwhile, the European Court of Justice has ruled that Italy’s system of automatically renewed beach concessions is illegal.
A mayor in the country said: ‘Fathers hand down these places to their sons, grandfathers to their grandchildren’
The controversy has reached Rome, where opposition leader Elly Schlein claims economic hardship is pushing families away from the coast
Under the previous laws, state-owned licenses were automatically passed down to family members of beach operators.
Some of these operators use them to run members-only beach clubs or charge huge amounts.
Rome has been told it must open tenders for 28,000 licences for beach bars by 2027, a deadline that could be extended by a year if justified.
This article was originally published by a www.dailymail.co.uk . Read the Original article here. .