Pavement restaurants

In a recent interview, mayor Paul Borg Olivier said he wanted to change Mepa's policy on pavement tables and chairs in Valletta. He noted that Mepa allows pavement tables and chairs in Sliema's busy streets which are so narrow that you must weave between the tables. So, he argued, why not in Valletta?

The situation in the Strand in Sliema and Gzira is alarming. I can't understand how a beautiful and wide pavement such as that of the Strand is being allowed by Mepa, or whichever authority, to be abused by some of the restaurant and bar owners.

In some areas of the pavement there is hardly one metre of room for pedestrians to pass through.

In some parts, the demarcation lines are completely hidden by tables and chairs and the owners of the restaurants and bars hardly bother to try to improve the situation.

Where are the authority's inspectors? On busy evenings and every Saturday, pedestrians are disgusted at the way tables and chairs are placed on the pavements. No respect whatsoever is paid to pedestrians. Sometimes, one has to push chairs aside to make enough space to walk through. Let's hope that the situation in the Sliema and Gzira areas is brought to normality as soon as possible.