Three Birżebbuġa outlets have encroachment permits withdrawn
Three outlets in Birżebbuġa had their encroachment permits withdrawn and street furniture confiscated last night.
A spokesman for the Secretariat for Land said 11 tables, 50 chairs, 18 plants and an umbrella were confiscated after they were placed on a public pavement illegally.
The establishments had been served with a notice asking them to observe their permit conditions.
To re-apply for their permit, these establishments will have to pay a €1,000 administration fee.
Enforcement will continue, the secretariat said.
In the meantime, billboards in December 13 Road were removed by their owner this morning following a court case decided last week.
Advert
Advert
25 Comments
Post comment
Please sign in or create your Account to post comments.
Pierre demanuele
Sep 23rd 2008, 22:18
All this is fine. But for how long will the inspections continue? I am sure that after a couple of weeks without inspections, encroaching will resume. How about inspecting the Sliema Ferrry near the Nazzarenu church. There is hardly enough space for one person to pass. Imagine how I have to wriggle through chairs when pushing my daughter's wheelchair!
N Abela
Sep 23rd 2008, 11:23
OK....so y not b so strict on illegal hunting?
stephen m bugeja
Sep 23rd 2008, 08:07
as always to little to late ! another case of sea saw enforcement ! summers over work wise , so lets not inconvinence owners too much! Putting on a show for the public might look good but in reality what does it really show the public and tourists ? Inconsistancy and over time for the workers concerned in picking up the chairs and tables , whereas the poor waiters and waitresses missed out on a nights wage and tips ! hence adding to the economic slowdown that is sure to hit us in the near future.
The powers to be should be treating small businesses with kid gloves , for once they go the economy will stop . the thre bbugia outlets would have generated around about 10,000 euros in sales , possibly another minimum of 500 euros in wages and 5000 in purchases over the weekend , employing and purchasing local persons and produce . though not so if tables and work were disrupted.
Such enforcement should take place during office hours with the minimum of hassle to the owners , and not heavy handed like this.
john micallef
Sep 22nd 2008, 17:12
at last some one is taking us citizens searously. well done jason
d. borg
Sep 22nd 2008, 10:48
While you're at it can we have all our beaches back please?
Lawrence Camilleri
Sep 22nd 2008, 06:05
When they swoop on Victory Square in Xaghra, then the authorities will be really seen to mean business. There, not only the pavements are are out of bounds for pedestrians but even the traffic lane cannot be used by traffic. There, not only tables and chairs obstruct but structures solidly fixed to the ground and the more action is taken elsewhere the more the existing illegalities expand. The question people are asking - Is there somebody in power behind it?
Audrey Callus
Sep 22nd 2008, 00:28
Tonight they were also removing tables and chairs from Summer Nights in Marascala and there was a considerable crowd looking. I saw a whole truck filled in with chairs!!!!
N Debono
Sep 22nd 2008, 00:25
All this enforcment on this one particular issue, well and good. what abou other isues that matter more. What about business men that got permits because they know important people in prominent political positions, they compete with others that know no one but have to make ends meet.
IT IS GOOD TO ENFORCE BUT PLEASE TAKE THE SAME STAND ON EVERY OTHER ISSUE
V Pace
Sep 21st 2008, 23:17
Two weights and two measures !!
I agree with law enforcement, but with EVERYONE. The pathetic joke of the year must be how one restaurant in Paceville, managed to convince the ADT and their minister to close Church Street so one restaurant can build what is effectively a horrible band stand in the middle of the road, on which to put dining tables. This illegality has created traffic chaos.
G Falzon
Sep 21st 2008, 22:50
Illegal boathouse/shelters also exist beneath the bastions all around Valletta and the three cities. Some are excavating further!
Jon Abela
Sep 21st 2008, 21:55
TAD-DAHQ!!!! Why Now?.... Ohh...I know end of summer season e'.... u HALLUNA!
michael fenech
Sep 21st 2008, 21:32
I like this enforcement of the law,But how about going after the FAT boys as well, The construction contractors and the BUS owners for their pollution. TO TELL YOU THE TRUTH I DON'T THINK THAT THIS GOVERNMENT HAVE THE "GUTS" TO DO SO.
joseph Sammut
Sep 21st 2008, 20:25
It`s ok enforcing laws on people earning a living,what about enforcing the same laws on hunting
Noel Cutajar
Sep 21st 2008, 19:50
Wow!! Mention the devil!! I had just mentioned it yesterday in another comment on B'Bugia...well at least our comments are serving a purpose!!!
P ATTARD
Sep 21st 2008, 19:04
IF THE GOVERMENT REALY WANT TO MEAN BUSINESS FIRST HE HAVE TO TRASH ALL THE ILLEGAL BOATHOUSES IN ARMIER, GNEJNA, ST THOMAS BAY MARSASCALA, BAHAR IC-CAGHAK AND OTHER BEACHES. BUT BEFORE THE ELECTION THEY WERE GRANTED A COMPROMISE THAT HE WILL ARRANGE THEIR SITUATION,HYPOCRISY AT IT'S BEST!!
ch.camenzuli
Sep 21st 2008, 18:50
Well done once again . Being strict and law enforecement will finally change Maltese mentality how to look at things. Talking about billboards.....
Until last night in Regional Road, there's still the Malta Football Association billboard of the 6th September Malta - Portugal match. I'm sure everyone at the MFA was rather dizzy following the 0 - 4 defeat but by now they should have recovered....
And what about the billboards in Imsida stuck to vans and trucks and parked by the GWU monument. Do these have the necessary permits.
Yesterday a maxi trick with wooden board cropped up with mobile number for who ever wants to advertise. Is parking space taken illegally ? Is the Msida Local Council aware ?
Is the Police just 20 metres away aware of such ?
l Galea
Sep 21st 2008, 17:49
@s.bugeja
I am not beating at the Government. You can see that I have congratulated the authorities for taking action many times.
@N.Azzopardi
No. I do not have hatred against businessmen, but I don't want them to trample on my right to walk safely on the pavement without them blocking or obstructing me by using PUBLIC property for their own personal gains.
And yes, I have been abroad many times, but there is a big difference from what happens in Malta.
As for your suggestion of staying at home, I am not going to take it and I shall keep on insisting that I exercise my right to have the pavements which are meant for the safe passage of people kept PUBLIC and not obstructed by businessmen for their private gain to the detriment of the public.
Your writing smells that you have a personal interest in putting tables and chairs on PUBLIC property Mr Azzopardi.
Paul Barrett
Sep 21st 2008, 17:24
It would be nice if this confiscated furniture could be released (by the Courts?) for good causes - i.e., old peoples homes, hospitals and even closed/open centers (perhaps after say three months allowing for any legal appeals from the previous owners).
Dominic Williams
Sep 21st 2008, 17:22
are the public beaches like ghadira bay public or is it two weighs two measurements as always in this banana republic ?
N.Azzopardi
Sep 21st 2008, 17:20
@I.Galea
In your comments there is always a smell of hatred for the businessmen. The chairs & tables should be set in the area where have been designated by MEPA. It seems that you have never been abroad, cause its done all over, and people nowadays and especially us here in Malta cause of the heat prefer to have a drink or dine outside. Maybe you are not one who like to spend and enjoy yourself. If that is the case so stay at home and you would not be bothered by these chairs and tables. Bar & restaurant owner should not abuse, and so they will have no problems with the authorities. That's all.
s.bugeja
Sep 21st 2008, 17:15
@ I galea
the government is taking action so stop beating up on him. perhaps it's late but it's better than never.
P Muscat
Sep 21st 2008, 17:14
When is the turn for the Bahar Ic-Caghaq illlegal boathouses???
Alfred Briffa
Sep 21st 2008, 17:10
Kemm inti 'funny' M.Fenech...have the guts to admit that finally we are seeing some light at the end of the tunnel named ENFORCEMENT.
M. Fenech
Sep 21st 2008, 16:37
Will the government organise a car-booth sale for these confiscated furniture?
l Galea
Sep 21st 2008, 16:16
Nip it in the bud.
Do not give any more encroachment permits.
PUBLIC land should remain PUBLIC not be turned into property for private use and gain for a miserly few thousand ewros to the detriment of the public.
Is our government so strapped hard for income that it has to continue to sacrifice the public which is the vast majority of the Maltese people for the interests of a few businessmen who will do anything to fatten their lousy Scrooge pockets?