Pavement widening

I refer to the letter of Anglu Xuereb (July 7) regarding the widening of the pavement in High Street, Sliema I was surprised to read in it that the local council should have checked with Mepa before actually giving publicity to the fact. It should be known that Mepa officials went on site in the presence of Mr Xuereb and they stopped him from carrying out any more works on the pavement. The council asked his representative many times to produce the necessary permit but till today this has never been presented to the council.

In his letter Mr Xuereb gives the impression that to compensate for the loss of the parking he has opted to sacrifice his interior space to create parking for the neighbouring residents. When he said this to me I very promptly asked him if this meant that the neighbouring residents were going to be offered free parking in his garage. He was very quick to give me and everyone else present a clear and negative answer. So what compensation is this to the neighbouring residents?

It is encouraging to hear that suddenly Mr Xuereb has some concern for the neighbouring residents as this was not the case for the past years while the construction works were being carried out. All neighbours understood that work had to be done but definitely not in all ways and by all means and on a Sunday and public holidays. If Mr Xuereb really does have the permit in hand it would have saved him and many other people precious time and I am sure Mr Xuereb, having the experience of being a mayor in the past, understands that the council's concerns are solely for the residents.