High Street pavement

I refer to the letter regarding the pavement in front of The Palace Hotel in High Street, Sliema (August 30). The title to Angelo Xuereb's letter is misleading as it seems to indicate that the pavement "belongs" to the hotel. This is far from the truth.

The traffic chaos in High Street started with the newly and hastily constructed pavement by AX Holdings which extruded for more that the original pavement much to the disbelief of the residents and the local council. At this stage the council enquired with all the relevant authorities regarding the legality of this pavement including the Lands Department, ADT and Mepa.

Moreover, the extension of the pavement was never mentioned in the permit applied. All the residents in High Street are living proof that the daily chaos started when the pavement was constructed thus narrowing the existing two-way road.

Sliema local council as a local authority was never consulted as regards the modification of the pavement, and later on the council confirmed that neither were the ADT involved in the consultation process. This is clearly a breach of law. When traffic management is concerned, ADT, in consultation with the local council, issues the relevant permits for the necessary signs and markings to be implemented.

I do not agree with the interpretation of Mr Xuereb that Mepa had designated the area in front of the hotel as free from parking. PA 4291/00 clearly shows that the area indicated for loading and unloading of tourists is directly in front of the hotel. To date this is the only plan which has the Mepa-approved stamped.

Following the construction of the extended pavement Sliema local council received numerous calls from frustrated residents since vehicles continued to park on both sides thus causing an obstruction to two-way traffic.

To add insult to injury, Mr Xuereb following an investigation by the council personally confirmed and admitted in writing that he had extruded even further than the Mepa permit and the council insisted that the pavement should recede accordingly to the permits issued.

Sliema local council is still at this point questioning the legality of such pavement widening since this is clearly public land. Morevover Mr Xuereb was informed by the council that he should seek permission from ADT to obtain the necessary un/loading bay permit. Only after the approval from ADT can the necessary signs be offered to indicate an un/loading bay. Mr Xuereb who previously occupied the position of a mayor surely knows what we are talking about.

The implementation of parking bays by Sliema local council was a reaction to eliminate the traffic congestion that was occurring. Moreover, it was noted that amongst the cars parked along the side of the hotel when the managed parking was implemented were those that belonged to the employees working within the same hotel, thus blocking the access to the intended un/loading bay (still without ADT permit).

Well-planned traffic management occurs when all the necessary parties are involved in the consultation process according to law and this is clearly not the case resulting in a great inconvenience to residents and motorists.

Sliema local council would have objected from day one to such pavement widening.