Thursday, 17th July 2008 - 14:33CET
UPDATED: Red tape amid the chaos, council clarifies position
(Adds clarification by Senglea Local Council)
While hundreds of drivers sweated in traffic jams over the past couple of days and the authorities sought ways to sort out the traffic chaos, Senglea local council protested to the Transport Authority over a sign put up to indicate the emergency boat service to Valletta.
The council wrote to the ADT complaining that the sign put up at the boarding place had been erected without its permission, it was too large and constituted an eyesore. It argued that a sign should have been put up on a noticeboard located two corners away.
The ADT's reply is not known, but the emergency service was stopped yesterday after the boatmen were threatened.
In a statement in reaction to this article, Senglea local council said this afternoon that it was not informed until noon of today that this was an emergency service offered by the ADT and communications received indicated it was as initiative of the local boatsmen organisation.
The council said it was not against such emergency service to residents and tourists, but against the way the sign was put up without any communication with the mayor and executive secretary. The council said it was not aware of any protest mentioned and never met to discuss this issue and neither gave any consent for such event.
The mayor and the deputy mayor are currently away from Malta with a delegation from the council which also includes the executive secretary. The secretary, however, this afternoon communicated directly with the ADT to clarify the situation. He expressed the council's support towards the ferry emergency service from Senglea.
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Comments
The Council is not against such emergency service to residents and tourists, but on the way the sign was put up without any communication with the Mayor and Executive Secretary.
The Council is not aware of any protest mentioned and never met to discuss this issue and neither gave any consent for such event.
The Mayor, Vice Mayor together with a delegation from the Council and the Executive Secretary are at the moment away from the island and earlier this afternoon communicated directly with Mr. Pule of ADT to clarify the situation, informing about our views of the press release on the Timesof malta.com and to guarantee our support towards ferry emergency service from Isla.
It could start near the Cospicua regatta club, cross over to senglea where the old ferry service used to be and then continue to Valletta. Another service could also be started at certain times from Kalkara.
I am sure that it will be useful to residents of the three cities and nearby towns who would want to go to Valletta which would also be helped with the construction of the lifts.
The lifts would not only serve the local population but would do a roaring trade whenever a cruise ship enters Grand Harbour.
I am sure that there were no offers to rebuild the lifts because of the many developments attached to the tender that were to be made which were totally unrelated to the service.
Such a service would not only be useful, but would also reduce the congestion and pollution on our roads. Of course no service monopoly.
This are minor discussions which the Local council has to carry out, but surely the intent is not to hinder.... I am sure that the problem yesterday wasn't actually the sign.
Plesae don't blame people who are genuinely trying to do their work. But surely don't want to hinder.
@ Local council of Senglea - ARE YOU FOR REAL!?!?!?!
Alfred (Brambton)
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Another 'Gawdenz Bilocca' protesting about a sign.
Bronk Productions take notice for the next filming.
Literally ------- TAD-DAHQ ------- from a Local Council.
Some comic relief is always welcome in these troubled times.
:)
"Hello, I'm you friendly nieghbouhood LC representative. Don't you know there's a notice board two corners away that will give you all the information you need?"
@ ADT - A reply from your end should not be even thought of let alone be sent. Ignore the Senglea Local Council's letter.
I could suggest a reply for ADT but Times won't publish it :))
OMG... LOL... Thats all I can say.!!!
Transport Authority - better answer right away !
Next meeting of Senglea Council: To authorize the removal of such sign. Get legal counsel (at some expense) to make sure. In the meantime, strike will be over.
Not much else to do I suppose.
Very sharp!
I'm sure that the ADT has better things to do, even within your council itself!!
Now why don't you focus your energy where it is needed.
That should translate into a 100 points to the Labour Local Council from the new leader!
;)
I can't believe that in a time of chaos like our country has seen in the past days, someone can complain about a petty thing like the size and location of a TEMPORARY emergency sign !!