Illegal 'no parking' signs

I am a resident of Triq il-Qaliet, St Julian's. For months a hotel at the top of the road had a sign prohibiting parking at certain hours of the day affecting one parking space.

On the evening of June 2, I parked my car in an adjacent bay and was surprised to find a parking ticket on my windscreen the following day. I found that a new sign had been erected so that three bays, including the original one, were now affected. My suspicion is that it was done that same morning. In a matter of hours our ever-efficient wardens had already done their work.

Since I thought my car was parked there before the new sign was put up and wished to contest the contravention, I made my way to the local council office. I explained my situation and asked for something in writing stating when the sign was fixed so that I could defend my case. I was told to contact the Malta Transport Authority (ADT) which authorises these signs.

I wrote to the Traffic Management Directorate at the ADT who said these signs were never even approved from their end.

As these signs are illegal, I would like to know what action the local council and the ADT are going to take against the people responsible for putting them up as motorists are being unfairly fined because of them. Should not the authorities monitor which signs are legal or not, especially in areas where parking is problematic?

I have tried contacting the St Julian's mayor both personally and by phone, on July 18, 19, 22, 25 and 26 at the times indicated by the staff, as he does not make appointments. I even left my own number but still have heard nothing.

When I expressed my obvious frustration to council staff, I was told that all councillors work on a purely voluntary basis so I could not expect them to be available at all hours.