Restoration works at Marsalforn unsatisfactory - ADT

The Malta Transport Authority said yesterday it was not satisfied with the standards of the works being carried out in Marsalforn to restore sections of the road where illegal works had been undertaken.

Transport Minister Austin Gatt issued a ministerial policy directive last month laying down that, whenever local councils or any other body undertook roadworks without the necessary permits, the ADT was to alert the Police Commissioner and ask him to stop the works immediately.

The directive was sparked off by works carried out by the Żebbuġ local council on the bridge in Marsalforn without an ADT permit. The authority consequently ordered the Żebbuġ local council to restore the area to its original condition.

The ADT yesterday said it was not satisfied with the works and informed Dr Gatt of the latest developments. On the minister's instructions, the authority had written to the council warning that works were to be carried out according to standards established by law and, unless the situation was rectified within two weeks, the ADT would do the work itself and bill the council.

The ADT said it had also noted that a tourist establishment had placed tables and chairs in the very same place where the illegal works were carried out. This, it said, was also against the law, and it asked the Malta Environment and Planning Authority to take the appropriate action.

The ADT said the minister's directives were also being applied to illegal works carried out by the Marsascala local council which also was given two weeks to repair the works on an illegal footway in Triq San Ġwakkin.