Access denied

After nearly five years, the public footpath round the new St Angelo Mansions is open to the public. During construction the footpath from It-Toqba to the Marina was closed for safety reasons.

The new footpath is for most of its part 2.6 metres wide but at one point this narrows to 59 cm. Having consulted with the National Commission for Persons with Disability, I was informed that the minimum width for access with a wheelchair is 90 cm. It is patently obvious that persons unfortunately restricted to a wheelchair cannot access this public footpath, in fact, even large prams would not be able to negotiate this restriction.

I urge the Cottonera Development Group to address this access denial at the earliest opportunity so that those with disabilities can enjoy both waterfronts of Vittoriosa.