Ruth Farrugia, Msida.
Blocked passage
The Times carried a report about Sliema residents objecting to café tables by filing a judicial protest. The road from Gżira into Sliema is jampacked with cafés all with tables outside.
The majority leave no room for able-bodied persons to pass, let alone parents with pushchairs, persons in a wheelchair or the elderly such as my parents, who require the aid of crutches.
The options are to walk into the busy road or, in the case of many of the elderly and disabled, to resign oneself to a restricted walk or remain house bound. Is it too much to expect the Sliema and Gżira local councils, together with the competent authorities, to address this issue and enforce observance of the law as a matter of a routine?
Schengen may have removed border control in the EU but must one resort to litigation to enforce this most basic notion of freedom of movement?
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james calleja
Apr 9th 2008, 14:49
Dear Ruth,
It is very interesting to note that your letter comes at the same time that a few Sliema residents filed a judicial protest objecting to café tables in the road from Gżira into Sliema. Have you never been to other tourist cities anywhere else in the world? Is it not common practice to have tables and chairs outside coffee shops and restaurants? What is really bothering you? Is it the chair in the way or is there a hidden agenda here? A chair in the way may easily be removed by the pedestian.
Maria Dolores Caruana
Apr 7th 2008, 15:38
What if instead of a chair there is a car parked on the pavement? Are we to remove this too?
E. Azzopardi
Apr 7th 2008, 14:32
Do we also have to remove chairs now while we are walking! There is only one solution. Make permanent way for pedestrians.
Liam Kelly
Apr 7th 2008, 11:00
Ruth, instead of moaning about it, why not just take action.
How difficult is it for you to move a chair if its on the pavement (where it shouldnt be)?