Pietà police station proves elusive

One year ago yesterday an agreement was signed by Pietà local council and the police to open a police station for the first time in Guardamangia.

The necessary development permit was already in hand at the time and all that had to be done before the opening were some structural works to convert the house obtained by the council.

The necessary works were completed but the door of the station in Hookham Frere Street is still closed.

"The recent car chase which ended in front of St Luke's Hospital and the discovery of a suspected overdose victim was proof enough of the urgent need to have a police station in our locality. But the process has been partly bogged down by bureaucracy which is causing delays," Pietà mayor Malcolm Mifsud said yesterday.

The council wanted the station to open a few months after the signing but a problem relating to changes to make the front door suitable for a police station had caused delays.

Dr Mifsud said that since the house was situated in an urban conservation area, another full Malta Environment and Planning Authority application had to be filed to make the necessary changes. This process took some time - the council did not apply immediately - and the council is now still waiting for the necessary permit.

Another matter relating to the permit was an inspection by the National Commission for Persons with Disability to ensure that adequate access was provided to persons with a disability to enable them to use the station, Dr Mifsud said. This has still to be carried out. Dr Mifsud would not commit himself on the expected opening date of the station but he expressed hope that it would not take very long.

All the necessary works inside the building, including water and electricity, toilets and other facilities, are ready.

The local council had forked out money to obtain the property on temporary emphytheusis and offered it for police use as a station without any rent. From its very beginning, the council had felt the need for a police station because the locality attracted a large number of people, mainly because of its vicinity to St Luke's Hospital but also because of the expanding business community.

The first request by the council for a police station was made in 1996.

Residents in the locality are presently served by the Hamrun district police station.