Saturday, 30th August 2008

Marsascala bars, restaurants hit over excess street furniture

Government officials yesterday removed street furniture from in front of several Marsascala bars and restaurants which had failed to comply with their permit conditions and remove any excess furniture.

The owners' encroachment permits were revoked and their furniture confiscated. Officials from the Government Property Division (GPD) took away the furniture at the expense of the owners, a spokesman for the Parliamentary Secretariat responsible for Revenues and Lands said. Owners will now have to pay a €1,000 fine to re-apply for a fresh permit issued by the Lands Department, the Malta Tourism Authority and the Malta Environment and Planning Authority.

The enforcement action was undertaken after the owners were earlier this week served with a formal notice giving them 48 hours to take any excess furniture out of the way.

They were warned that, if they did not comply with their encroachment permits, the permits would be revoked.

The spokesman said that, in the past, establishments were given 15 days to comply but this timeframe was reduced to 48 hours when the GPD realised that the longer deadline was not having the desired effect.

The department took similar action earlier this year in Sliema, Xlendi and Marsalforn.

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Article © Allied Newspapers Ltd., printed on Sunday, November 8, 2009. This article is for personal use only, and should not be distributed.

Comments

L Galea (on 30/8/08)

Since they are breaking the law they should not be given an advance warning, their furniture should not merely be removed and given back but sold by the Government, a hefty fine must be paid, and no permits ever issued to put street furniture out of the establishments.

Pavements are for persons to walk safely on, not for restauranteurs and hotels to use as part of their property.

This also includes bays which are constantly being occupied by deckchairs and other furniture which their owners expect bathers to pay to use. Beaches are also public property not private property to be used according to the whims of private persons with beach concessions.

Government please revoke any permits for the use of the pavement by any type of shops and beach concessions.

The few miserly thousand euros the Government gets from allowing these scrooges to use public property are causing mayhem, unwarranted expense and great problems for the rest of the population.

Richard Magri (on 30/8/08)

At long last, action has been taken, people can pass freely on the pavement in Marina Street, Marsascala. Congratulations to the Tourism authorities. Shame on our Council, especially the Mayor who ignored the many complaints lodged to him by several residents and others.

J Farrugia (on 30/8/08)

albert spiteri when you take the necessary action one is never late. Those who break the law, one day, today, tomorrow or any time in the day and night,. someone will ring the bell and action will be taken. So shut the drivel and let's concentrate in bringing all these cowboys to book and order. Prosit to the enforcers.

C. Camilleri (on 30/8/08)

Well done but is it not too late bearing in mind that the summer season is over. By the way who is paying the bills for the work involved? If after all this the bars and restaurants still refuse to comply the Govt should without hesitation revoke their licenses.

albert spiteri (on 30/8/08)

WOW! VERRRRY tough! Only hitch...the timing and dating were a bit wrong! Those Lands inspectors should have come to Marina Street, Marsascala Saturday evening, at about 9 pm.
If the result is to be anything close to that in Sliema, Xlendi and Marsalforn, then this is all white wash.

Carl Pol (on 30/8/08)

how about a crack at the establishments in Bugibba, particulary the square and adjoining streets
Thank you

Sandro Mallia (on 30/8/08)

The action taken by the authorities to remove illegal tables and chairs from Marina Street, in Marsascala proves the resident's complaints right. Some days ago, in another newspaper the Mayor denied that such situation prevailed in Marina Street. What I expect is a clear statement of loyalty from the other councillors. Please wake up!

a falzon (on 30/8/08)

next marsaxlokk please.

John. Borg (on 30/8/08)

One should also see the letter in today’s l-Orizzont by R.Magri. It seems that the Marsascala residents have been complaining with the L. Council about this situation for sometime but unfortunately fell on deaf ears. From what I could gather talks behind the resident’s back are underway with the Bars and Restaurant Association, the Marsascala Local Council and Government authorities to widen the pavement along Marina street where the shops are situated to the detriment of the locals and visitors by narrowing the promenade. Shame on the Council if this materialize. At least the residents should be informed.

L Galea (on 30/8/08)

Congratulations. Keep it up.

Mary Formosa (on 30/8/08)

It is better late than never. An efficient Council would have put a stop to this illegal behaviour years ago. In the evening no one could walk along that side of the pavement. Let alone pushing prams. When complaining with the proprietors they arrogantly told us to use the other side. We found no refuge from our Council. The Mayor is too ally pally with the Marsascala shop owners.

Marsascala bars, restaurants hit over excess street furniture

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