Inspectors swoop on Marsascala bars...again

Graham Powell

Dec 10th 2008, 20:06

Having just recently bought a house in Xaghra, I was saddened to see so many bars/ restaurants reduced to almost nothing. Surely Land Department and MEPA can get together to create a simple and efficient method to allocate space for tables and Umbrellas for these establishments. Tourists and residents all enjoy them. Get rid of the bureaucracy and make an easy fair permit system. I am led to believe some restaurants get for example 2 parking bays but a permit for only 3 tables where they could easily place 6 in the same area. They get 3 removed?! I can see from comments that pavement should be kept clear and there should be no fixed structures.

Ethelbert Schembri

Sep 15th 2008, 23:41

@ D Agius

It is arrogance and ignorance mixed the way the so called Lands Enforcement Officers dealt with the shop owners and general public that night .
If it wasn’t for the good job of the police it will for sure had ended bad for those cowboys because of their attitude.
They could at least used some basic education to enforce the law .

There are other ways like the way the same enforce cowboys treat some well known persons and contractors , that’s all !!!!!

And if anyone is laughing , may be is because he is involved with some kind of business with the persons I mentioned .

Benjamin Pule`

Sep 15th 2008, 23:31

Keep up the good work Dr. Azzopardi - another consistent act to see to the enforcement of all laws and regulations.

Lawsrence Camilleri

Sep 15th 2008, 20:43

In Xaghra the law of the jungle applies. While the Lands Dept swoops on loose street furniture, in Victory Square in Xaghra fixed structures have taken over pavements and the Square and even additions have been made after action is being taken elsewhere. Even traffic lanes have been blocked - it is hard to imagine blind corners in a square but they exist in Victory Square. To reports to ADT that the double line was ignored the answer was to report the matter to the police as the ADT was only concerned with painting the double lines and not with taking it up themselves with the police who were the ones responsible with law enforcement.

Lorna Pace

Sep 15th 2008, 20:04

@ PJ Mifsud

Laws are enacted for EVERYONE...not simply for a selected few. For a Goverment to earn respect it should be just and equal in it's actions. Yes I agree that nobody has the right to encroach as nobody has the right to possess. My argument was that The Goverment should have tackled the restaurant and bar owners only after tackling the abusive boathouses and hotels who absorb the best positions on public beaches. This given the fact that restaurant encroachment might be leaving a residual contribution in terms of wages a d economic achievement while boathouses are simply an arrogant invasion of pubic property.

Driving to Armier past Mellieha a couple of weeks ago reminded me of two shanty towns in Turkey, which would certainly noy have appeared on BRAND MALTA. or any other brochcure targeted at attracting Northern European or Scandinavian Tourists.

Dr. Gonzi is a man who commands respect and indiscriminate when it comes to taking decisons, even though cautious. People who break the law or take possession of property which does not belong to them should be equally awnserable wherever they are.

Alexandra Borg

Sep 15th 2008, 18:44

I am all out to have order and pavements as they should be, but we were having a meal in M'Scala on Friday when all of a sudden this cocky man with a 'don't touch me' swagger came along surrounded by about six police officers and created havoc with his rude attitude. Naturally some simply can't control themselves and this guy was suffering from a terrible bout of self importance.....

Eman Galea

Sep 15th 2008, 17:54

If the Lands Department remain consistent about these abuses, I think, that Tom Dick and Harry will get the message, that at last serious action is being taken. Relapsers should be fined according to law. To be fair and just with everyone, the lands dept should take action against anyone who thinks that he is above the law, and abuse with the permit granted to him. Case in point is the abuse by bar owners at Siggiewi, who illegally take out tables and chairs outside their bars in the street, thus depriving residents from preciuos parking space' apart from other thinks that residents have to endure till very late at night.

Anna Ellul

Sep 15th 2008, 15:27

I agree with Oliver Debono - the same "bulldozer" attitude has to be taken with all those who have illegally taken possession of public land. Quite literally. Nothing less.

There should be no compromise. If anything we should be talking of penalties and fines. That the boathouses are built in an area which is ODZ just makes the matter that much more insulting!

The same applies to all the public beaches that have become private concessions to hotels.

The general public has been prejudiced in favour of the selfish interests of a few. Just because these are persistent, does not mean that we should negotiate with them. Government has to act in the common good of the nation.

joe borg

Sep 15th 2008, 13:27

Why pick on on bars only. How about the shops who hang their wares all over their shop front, is this allowed. On st john street a couple of shops use up the pavements and also the street in front of their shop to display their stock. It looks like another monti site. It is not fare some businessmen are above the law and do what they please.

PJ Mifsud

Sep 15th 2008, 12:43

Keep up the excellent work Dr Azzopardi! Abuses being committed in broad daylight in this regard can NEVER be excused or condoned simply because other abuses were committed in the past. Two wrongs NEVER make a right.

Most of the baseless counter-arguments being expressed regarding enforcement actions by the Lands Department contain a strong whiff of political bias and may have a hidden agenda to protect the guilty parties.

@ Lorna Pace

Laws are enacted to be upheld throughout the whole legislature and not, as you stated, in close proximity to general elections. That is absurd and ridiculous. There are countless law-abiding restaurant and bar owners who don't encroach on public land. The few who don't give a damn are owners who are after a quick buck and who show no respect to pedestrians.

Standing up to defend law-breakers by using the lame excuse that they're contributing to the economy equally as law-abiding ones is just as absurd and risible. The problem with most politicians is that they dither when law enforcement measures have to be applied. Now that a policy decision to enforce the law has been taken, don't you agree that it's a step in the right direction?

Joe Morana

Sep 15th 2008, 11:42

Well done PS Jason Azzopardi for enforcing law and order inrespect of catering establishements etc. However, I very much agree with Oliver Debono. It is absurd to allow squatters who for decades have selfishly taken public land continue with their abuse or to regularise their unlawful practice. It would also be ubsurd that these offenders are given the opportunity to apply for and apparently given prefrence to 'redevelop' Armier and/or any other place for that matter . The Government cannot just erase years of law breaking and instead of penalising offenders, rewards such abuse?

P Sultana

Sep 15th 2008, 11:18

I was about to say well done that finally we have seen some effective action ... but then I read below that this action was taken in full view of the public including tourists and that patrons were actually removed from their tables mid way through their meal.

If this is so I applaud the intent but deplore the method. Why should patrons' evening be so rudely interrupted? The action should have affected the proprietors and nobody else. It is a disgrace ... yet another disgraceful episode in this country!

Oliver Debono

Sep 14th 2008, 21:33

If this is the start of a programme to give public land back to the citizen - A VERY BIG WELL DONE. If this is the start of a programme to curb abuses - ANOTHER VERY BIG WELL DONE.
HOWEVER IF THESE PROGRAMMES STOP SHORT OF RETURNING THE LAND ILLEGALLY OCCUPIED BY THE SO CALLED BOAT HOUSES IN DIFFERENT REGIONS OF OUR ISLANDS,IRRESPECTIVE OF ANY AGREEMENT MADE PRE-ELECTION, I'm afraid this is a gimmick which insults the intelligence of the general public. And no ODZs please, or pre1992, this is land that has been taken illegally. FULL STOP.And deserves the same bulldozer reaction.

Lorna Pace

Sep 14th 2008, 19:52

Elections are evidently over and the new Parlamentary secretary wants to show how efficient he is in upholding the law. The comic side of all this is that restaurants and bars might be in breach of law by extending their concessions but at least they are a contributing factor to the economy.

As many commentators pointed out, what has the parliamentary secretary done to the hundreds of boathouses taken over illegaly by squatters? Nothing....This is simply a show of force for all of Malta except Church street in st julians where the road was purposly closed to accomodate one restaurant owner. Even parking was removed in this street in order to allow a full concession. This is the kind of local council St. Julians has to put up with. A council of racketeers who persecutes all its visitors with traffic wardens and speed cameras then gives out an entire street out to a restauranteur at no charge.

Wake up Hon Jason azzopardi and welcome to the Racket!!!

V Fenech

Sep 14th 2008, 15:04

Hope that the same precautions would be taken in Gozo as it seems that Gozitans do not fall under the same Maltese laws!!!!

V Fenech

Sep 14th 2008, 15:02

Don't you think it is high time for a standard policy to be set up for all outlets everywhere around Malta??

The initiative to protect pedestrians are very beneficial but we cannot continue to accept catering-establishments owners arguing about losing half their sales. Such actions should be done with maximum precaution and with the involvement of MEPA. I think that where possible, an official permission should be granted.

Remember that restaurant/bar accommodation is also very important to the tourism industry!

D Agius

Sep 14th 2008, 12:47

@ victor aquilina
Lands, VAT, MEPA, Inland Revenue ETC, and other Departments, they all have their enforcement officers, the police may be called only to assist or to keep the public peace.
As for Motor bike Police there's maybe 40 men! Are they the only Police you see? Are you living in Malta? Who deals with the everyday drug related crimes? Criminal Investigations? Hunting Reg? Safety at sea? With the family problems at the stations which occur every day and other petty problems? You? When you have a problem, who do you call? Certainly not the Ghost Busters!
@Ethelbert Schembri
I just can not stop laughing to hear or read that when enforcement officers are trying to do their job, be it the Police, the Wardens, or any other Enforcement officer, they are called arrogants! Maybe arrogance should be dealt with arrogance!
Well done to the arrogant enforcement officers who had to deal with the arrogance of certain shop owners :-)

Alfred Fenech

Sep 14th 2008, 07:14

Someone has forgotten about M'Forn. Two restaurants here appear to have some "Higher Protection" because despite the constant complaints to the authorities they still block th pavement. Every after closing down one of them still leaves the tables in a manner that the pavement is blocked.

Mike Knight

Sep 13th 2008, 19:54

Yes we experienced the same problem in Gozo, especially in a small village called Qala , by the square, i find it rather dangerous to drive through there when in gozo, due to the fact the tables and chairs tends to extend nearly in the middle of the road.. No sence at all. clamp down on them and yoyu'll be doing yourselves a favour as we say back home., as amatter of fact we stopped useing restaurant that tend to go above the law.

Vincent Pace

Sep 13th 2008, 19:19

what about the closure of Church street Pacevile ?? this was specifically closed so a restaurant can have a huge platform for diners, All this to favour ONE businessman. Tal qalba. And the Roads board have still not come up with a solution for the resultant traffic jams after months of teas and coffees.
Two weights and two measures. Ask the residents ? U hallina Ministru u ADT....

James De Giorgio

Sep 13th 2008, 18:51

Confiscate the tables...!!

G.Borg

Sep 13th 2008, 18:39

When are these inspectors going to vist Gozo!! Ghandhom fejn jaghmlu xalata shiha jekk jridu.

Carmen galea

Sep 13th 2008, 18:35

I cannot understand why should it be the "initiative" of a parliamenterian for such actions whose only job should be that of setting policies and enacting laws. Enforcement against all law breakers should be taken by those who are well paid for the job. One must not wait for the Parl Sec to order a "blitz" against contravenors.

The job must now continue on all fronts by attacking litter abusers, public land usurpers, illegal hunters and trappers, developers of illegal buidings, those abusing the social benefits, vendors with ultra high prices, VAT avoiders and so on and so forth.

And yes why not turn on Bahar ic-Caghaq and Armier. Places of national disgrace these tend to be. And land usurpers prentend it to be their rights to occupy government land. Cases of unlawful "selling" of land slivers are not unheard of. The authorities should really show some muscle.

Then I'll say...keep it up. The public expect more and eventually appreciates.

A.Busuttil

Sep 13th 2008, 18:25

Well done Jason, give the people what is his.
At Lower st Augustine street, st.Julians 4 tall tables stand on a pavement less than one meter wide. jghamlu li jridu ..................... an opposite kiosk belongs to a shoping mall most propable built on goverment land , obstructing pavement with tables and chairs.

Noel Cutajar

Sep 13th 2008, 17:31

The farce of the year!!! Squatters in government property...tables removed...what about the hundreds of illegal boathouse which were built all over the island? Are they on the Parliamentary Secretary Hit List? That would be proper enforcement and the policy which one is boasting about...give the land to the public!!!

J.Cachia

Sep 13th 2008, 17:21

One can very well congratulate the Parliamentary Secretary Jason Azzopardi for action taken but what’s going to happen when these disgruntled shop owners will hold ransom the PN Government before the next Local Council’s Elections and the sought after MEP’s elections. Everybody here in Malta and elsewhere knows the pattern. We have experienced before and after the March General Elections the Mepa Permit Open Sales including ODZ. Jobs for the boys, housing give away bonanza on points to lure votes. Yes well done Jason whilst it last, but wait till GonziPN starts receiving No Permit No Vote it will all end up as a big show! ‘Insomma Flimkien kollox possibbli’.

V Farruia

Sep 13th 2008, 17:16

Sorry L Galea, but the clients didn't know that having a meal there entertained the risk of having the meal standing up. Last time I checked there wasn't a sign stating that patrons eat there at their own risk! (Though, truth be told, in certain establishments patrons ARE eating at their own risk).

victor aquilina

Sep 13th 2008, 16:34

Inspectors? were these Police? I did not know we had police in Malta, Except for motor bike police escorting people in POSH and EXPENSIVE cars, Are you sure this was in Malta?

Jeremy J Camilleri

Sep 13th 2008, 15:53

Whilst I totally agree with the approach being taken by the Lands Department, I cannot understand people here.

Just before the last election, swathes of illegaly occupied land was given away by our Government.

What was the difference then?

Whilst we rejoice at the positive action undertaken yesterday, we seem to forget the other abuses committed regularly and to which the same authorities turn a blind eye, or worse, as in the case of the boat houses, reward them.

John F. Galea

Sep 13th 2008, 15:47

Well done. Perhaps others in authority would emulate Jason. Keep it up and you would stand high above the others. What about Sliema area. The pavment on the left leading down to Exiles beach hut is all taken up by a Kiosk and a fixed point street vendor selling all sorts of things with a numbr of bill boards blocking the pavment. Action please.

J Oatmon

Sep 13th 2008, 15:41

@ Mario Bonnici - I agree about the beaches.

I suggest that the legal position of the public is re-inforced - I think it should be legal to chuck 'commercial' umbrellas and lido chairs aside, and clear you own space if they are unoccupied - I don't mean if they are not commercial (private personal items) temporarily unoccupied because the owner is taking a swim for example.

The public should get the legal position on these sort of actions against persons taking commercial advantage of public places, such as beaches, clarified by the government.

I would like to go to the beach and push aside any 'commercial beach equipment' secure in the knowledge that the law was on my side.

Joseph Cauchi

Sep 13th 2008, 15:37

Hon. Jason Azzopardi, well done for these actions! Keep it going.

What about those illegal occupations of areas like in St. Thomas Bay in Marsascala, Armier Bay, Mellieha Bay and now also in Bahar ic-Caghaq?

These areas are real eye-sores and they are giving a very bad image to Malta.

If we need to improve Malta as a tourist attraction, then these areas have to be tackled immediately.

Well done Jason, keep it up.

Ethelbert Schembri

Sep 13th 2008, 15:31

Why didn’t the so called Lands Inspectors go to M’Scala the day before , when there was all the band after Dr Gonzi ??

Or when they want this kind of action is not good for public opinion ?

If we really want tourists to come here the authority must find some other ways to enforce their farce and not by that kind of pathetic full of arrogance show in front of so many tourists and scared children . And as I said the law must be applied with everyone BIG or SMALL !!

Ethelbert Schembri

Sep 13th 2008, 15:20

To everyone :

I don’t have anything against the law except that everyone must be regulated by it not just we small fish . The big guns out there can do whatever they want , like discarding rubble in the sea , build without any permit , destroying natural fauna for their so called investments etc
And you are telling me to accept that kind of arrogance just for a couple of tables and some chairs ?

I m not protecting anyone , but it seems that someone is trying to confuse us about who are the real criminals out there !!!

Kevin

Sep 13th 2008, 15:15

Well done but the thing have to be done in all localities and not only for restaurant ownwers....

M Saliba

Sep 13th 2008, 15:11

Can someone check if the chairs, tables, umbrellas and plants occupying St John' Square, Valletta, are placed beyond the established limits? And what about Piazza Regina?

Charles Camilleri

Sep 13th 2008, 14:56

The problem has been aggravated because it has been neglected for too long.Repeated offenders should have their license revoked if we want this farce to stop.

K Serracino

Sep 13th 2008, 14:44

Well done more Enforcement please not only in Marsascala. There are places were you cannot pass with a push chair or a wheelchair – Marsaxlokk and Xlendi.

Mario Bonnici

Sep 13th 2008, 14:26

What about what's happening in our beaches, especially in Ghadira? A public beach hijacked by the various lidos which are filling it with umbrellas and deck chairs, leaving small space for the public.

Charles Falzon

Sep 13th 2008, 14:24

Well done Parl.Sec. Jason Azzopardi and all Government Departments concerned.

Finally some real action.

These so called ' special interest groups ' need to be helped in not thinking they are above the law.

Vicky Grech

Sep 13th 2008, 14:03

well done! excellent job, keep up the good work.
as others before me have said please move on to other areas as well now especially qawra. thanks

John Attard

Sep 13th 2008, 14:02

Don't forget to include Marsaxlokk in your list. Apart from the chaotic situation with fishing boats scattered all around, tables and chairs are positioned as far as the shoreline kerb with no space for a puschair to pass by. Well done to all involved, show them you can do it!!!

John Calafato

Sep 13th 2008, 13:48

The action by the Lands Department, the second time in a week is a clear confirmation of what the residents are complaining about. The pavement in Marina Street has been occupied by Commercial outlets, with the apparent approval of the Marsaskala Mayor . When all the residents and those visiting Marsaskala for their free time complain about the blocked pavement by chairs and tables of shop owners, the Mayor is the first one to come out to defend the shop owners. Recently in a Maltese newspaper a resident wrote about this abuse, producing a photo of the pavement, the Mayor came out trying to ridicule the complainant, instead of safeguarding his rights. Unfortunately this is the way how our Marsascala Council is treating residents. Resign all of you. We are fed up with you.

Michael Vassallo

Sep 13th 2008, 13:31

Do these Lands Department officials have jurisdiction over the Republic of Xlendi? One corner restaurant had the guts to occupy a whole ten foot pavement.

S. Mallia

Sep 13th 2008, 13:29

Thank you Jason. You are doing what the Marsaskala Mayor should have done ages ago.

James Sultana

Sep 13th 2008, 13:02

@Stephen Farrugia : You said : "Very good move Jason. The government has had its land abused for to long."


I remember that "some time ago", a certain "tycoon" decided to build HALF OF HIS HOTEL on PUBLIC LAND. Nobody stopped him .... no MEPA enforcement, no Police officers , no "usual" spin doctors. The Hotel was built, the "tycoon" taken to court and "condemned" to PAY FOR THE LAND HE USED .... which of course turned out to be A VERY GOOD BARGAIN since he was charged for unused land and without having to compete in a bidding process with someone else.

But of course, not everybody - I dare say nobody or just a selected few - are as strong as this contractor, so he didn`t have officers visiting his hotel when full and kicking people out of their rooms..Instead he was allowed to buy and KEEP what was never intended to be sold! Later even the water-table near his hotel was emptied and an illegal borehole drilled to "feed" the reverse-osmosis!

But then this is Malta...where all abusers are equal but one or two abusers are more equal than others!

J Farrugia

Sep 13th 2008, 12:58

@ V Farrugia - those dining in such places know the risks that they are taking. If I were one of the inspectors I would have thrown all their meals to the ground. That's what they deserve.
@ Ethelbert Schembri - if you are one of the general public like I am, you should not and never patronize such abuses. Even the abusers are one of the general public - even criminals are one of the general public - so what? we condone them? Your egoism was having a good time while others were not. So why complain?

A.Sciberras

Sep 13th 2008, 12:55

When are you coming to Bugibba. God knows how many parking tickets I paid just because some cheek put chairs and tables in the street and left me with no space to park

Jennifer Cosaitis

Sep 13th 2008, 12:45

Mr E Schembri, do you have a problem with the law being enforced when it is dutifully done??

joe caruana

Sep 13th 2008, 12:41

Well done Jason. But now you are to send the inspectors also to one of your villages in the electoral district - Ghaxaq. You have already had complaints on the net re the chairs and tables put on pavements and on the street in Bir id-Deheb, or at the upper part of the Ghaxaq Byepass. How about action too at Vittoriosa, in St. Lawrence Str where parking is a problem and yet one bar owner occupies without permit the street to place tables and chairs.
Being responsible for the Lands Dept, Dr Azzopardi should also pay a visit to some streets in the city core - for example Bishop Palace Str - where commutors have to literally walk in the middle of the street because residents have occupied the pavement with pots, one near each other. A mother with a push chair will have to manouvre herself carefully not to be hit by a car as the abuse has been sanctioned by the Council.

charles casha

Sep 13th 2008, 12:15

well done to all who were not afraid to enforce the law.

L Galea

Sep 13th 2008, 12:07

@Ethelbert Schembri

You and your family are part of the public, but that does not give you a right to occupy public property for your private gain.

If you do not have an interest in an outlet, you were still occupying public property to the detriment of the rest of the public, otherwise the authorities would not have removed you.

Chris Zammit

Sep 13th 2008, 11:58

What about Marsaxlokk?????

Ch. Camenzuli

Sep 13th 2008, 11:43

Well done Jason and anyone who is responsible for enforcing such Law.
Now please take note of the following:
a) how about the kiosk in Valletta outside city Gate by the bus terminus. Did anyone ever noticed it is occupying 4 times as much its allocated area. No room for anyone to pass properly .Have seen tourists and locals on wheelchairs havinging to pass by the buses as the pavement area is occupied by such.
b) what about the illegal billboard advertising stuck on trucks and vans and parked for weeks by the GWU monument in Msida. Can these be towed or the local council has issued permits for them.
c) How about in St.Julian's just off Spinola Xatt tas-Sajjieda vast public pedestrian areas are occupied daily by owners of boathouses who even organize parties and bbq's to the detriment of passers by and nearby inhabitants. Isn't a permit issued for a boat house just to put a boat in ?
d) Same applies to Qawra. Shame for boat house owners and the way they have occupied and continue to occupy the territory. Malta is the only place on earth where boathouses are equipped with air conditioners......howcome....

Ethelbert Schembri

Sep 13th 2008, 11:41

If I m not mistaken me and my family are part of the public , are we ??

The only thing that disturbed us and everyone enjoying some good time yesterday were the so called law enforcers !!

Martin triganza

Sep 13th 2008, 11:12

The inspectors should also come to Gzira and Sliema strand. Me and my son (riding a small bicycle) and another woman with her baby in a pram could not pass from the pavement (The Strand - Gzira) because it was occupied by tables and chairs. If you attract attention of the shop owner or the waitress employed there, all you get is swearing and foul language.

L Galea

Sep 13th 2008, 11:12

@V Farrugia
Sorry Mr Farrugia. If the inspectors did this, then the bar owners will do the same thing again and again. Clients know that they are taking a risk so they got the result of their risk-taking.

@Malcolm Seychell
Agree with you 100%
The law should be applied to all without distinction.

@Ethelbert Schembri
You don't happen to have an interest in an outlet do you? Pavements are public not private property

V Sammut

Sep 13th 2008, 11:12

Good job . However much more to be done even in our towns and villages for example Naxxar and Mosta . And what about OUR beaches ? Still a long way to go however a good begining .

A. Vassallo

Sep 13th 2008, 11:08

Enforcement needs to be very harsh and strict. Now we know that by removing chairs and tables it inot enough. They can afford to by new chairs and tables. They even get them free of charge as advertisement.

Second time offenders should have their outlet closed down for a period of time. That will hit their pockets and maybe listen to reason.

Muscat Peter

Sep 13th 2008, 11:06

Well done Jason. Now visit our sandy beaches in Gozo & Comino & see for yourself the arrogance of encroachment by umbrellas & deckchairs covering the whole beach while normal citizens cannot put their own chairs and umbrellas. Most people approve of Jason's actions.

Now move on to tackle the other issue. You, Dr A. Gatt and MEPA can start with Victory Square at Xaghra, Gozo, where the restuarant owners seem to be above the law.The owner of a particular restuarant there. which is frequented by number of Ministers and top civil servants ( Maltese ), has repeatedly broken all Mepa rules and regulations.

Malcolm Seychell

Sep 13th 2008, 10:56

When we are going to take off the streets, people(most of them foreigners) working in Valletta, Bugibba etc etc? who sell without Vat receipt, no Eu Standards etc etc

Is the law applicable to bar owners only and if so why?

And are foreigners excluded from such laws?

V Farrugia

Sep 13th 2008, 10:53

While accepting that abuse has to be curbed, couldn't the Lands Department allow the patrons who had already paid and were consuming their dinners, enough time to finish off their dinner? In some cases, people were left stranded standing up, with their plates in their hands, and their drinks on the floor. Surely the Inspectors could have allowed these clients 15 minutes to finish off their meals!

J Oatmon

Sep 13th 2008, 10:49

Good news enforcement of the law is one of the main problems in Malta.

Nearly every day I pass along the Strand, Gzira to Sliema and return, I see many tables and chairs and even semi-permanet bar / restaraunt extensions blocking the pavements.

It's good for the bar / restaraunt owners, because they get 'rent free selling space' for thier food and drink, but for passers by it is just a annoying nuisance.

Why should myself or anyone have to battle to walk on the pavements anywhere in Malta?

Why no sms number to call in abuses?

Why no on the spot fines - police or wardens take a digital photo of the abuse, levy the fine and / or use the photo in evidence if there is a court case?

Stephen Farrugia

Sep 13th 2008, 10:47

Very good move Jason. The government has had its land abused for to long.

MARK MIFSUD BONNICI

Sep 13th 2008, 10:46

I agree with enforcement of regulations even though years have to pass before action is taken.

But can anyone explain why umbrellas and deckchairs on public beaches seem immune to any similar action.

Ethelbert Schembri

Sep 13th 2008, 10:30

I was there and the only thing I can say is that the arrogance of the inspectors was unacceptable .
Can I remind to the authority that these bars are frequented by tourists !! The show that they saw yesterday was miserable !!

Andrew Gatt

Sep 13th 2008, 10:24

Well done again. Too often, it is consistency that is lacking in enforcement. Keep on hammering away - sooner or later abusers will finally fall in line.

Paul Pace

Sep 13th 2008, 10:19

It seems that the inspectors do not know where Paceville is! There is a particular bar that he had the cheek to fix permanently barriers blocking the pavement to use for armchairs (not chairs) and tables. If they go there during daylight I am sure they will move truck loads of furniture. Action please.

M.Busuttil

Sep 13th 2008, 10:19

VERY GOOD, IT SHOULD BE DONE EVERY WEEK ALL AROUND MALTA.

Stephen Muscat

Sep 13th 2008, 10:18

Well done! ... how about Bugibba???????

L Galea

Sep 13th 2008, 10:06

Congratulations to the authorities. Keep it up.

What about a fine that is at least doubled every time, their shop license suspended, the shop sealed, and no further permits issued?

Pavements are there for the use of pedestrians to walk safely on, not for the shop owners to use for their private gain and for the Government to risk the lives of pedestrians for the sake of a few thousand euros.

The same applies to beach concessions.
All beach concessions should be withdrawn forthwith and never granted again.

Anyone who may have an accident due to these permits and beach concessions has a right to sue the Government for all damages sustained.

Charles P Cilia

Sep 13th 2008, 10:03

At last, there are some real guts at the end of the tunnel afterall.

Charles Micallef

Sep 13th 2008, 10:01

Qawra next please!

Simon sullivan

Sep 13th 2008, 10:00

might it now dawn on the 'powers' that be that fines and sentences in malta are laughable at best