Lisa Gwen Baldacchino
Enforcement officials target City Gate kiosks
Outdoor tables and benches being removed from Triton Kiosk at City Gate, Valletta, yesterday. Photo: Jason Borg
Bus drivers will have to wrestle for seating space at one of their favourite snack bars after Land Department officials yesterday confiscated the outdoor furniture from Triton Kiosk, at City Gate, Valletta, where most of them usually congregate in between trips.
The bus drivers complained vociferously but the police and the Land Department officials were determined. The Triton Kiosk, in fact, was not the only one targeted as most kiosks surrounding the bus terminus at City-Gate were found to be encroaching on public land without the necessary permits.
Another kiosk subjected to scrutiny was the Diana Snack Bar, which had tables, chairs, ice-cream freezers, umbrellas and plants removed.
Owner Anthony Fenech complained that he had received no official warning or letter of termination for his encroachment permit. He showed his permit to the officials, claiming that he spent more than €2,500 over the past months to have all his paperwork in order. However, the officials insisted on their stand, producing a copy of the termination letter sent to Mr Fenech, dated October 3, which he insisted he had not received.
Tempers flared when the officials approached Marken Kiosk. The owner, who would not give his name to the press, insisted that it was his right to have his mobile freezer outside his kiosk. The freezer was left in place but the Land Department officials said that his case, along with that of a few others whose canopies and other structures were objectionable, still had to be discussed and reviewed.
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In Discussion
6 Comments
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Charles Micallef
Oct 23rd 2008, 08:46
Of course the bus drivers deserve a place to rest, but the behaviour of many of them denotes that it will preferable housed out of sight of the the passing public.....................
p.piscitelli
Oct 22nd 2008, 14:41
i think that effie carbonaro is more than right, i agree with you, a bus driver must have a decent place where he can eat and rest between a trip and another. A tired driver can cause only accidents.
l Galea
Oct 22nd 2008, 13:24
Ken
I prefer PUBLIC space to remain PUBLIC.
effie carbonaro
I agree with you 100%
Remove all the kiosks and build a proper shelter for passengers.
After all, it is a bus terminus not a market.
effie carbonaro
Oct 22nd 2008, 12:56
Could someone tell all bus commuters where to shelter when it is raining. Because only the kiosks provide shelter.first the govt left everyone do what he likes than all this mayhem. It is better to remove all kiosks and rebuild a decent bus shelter with a canteen and toilets to all the needs for bus commuters , bus drivers and ADT staff.
l Galea
Oct 22nd 2008, 12:26
His right to occupy PUBLIC property?
How can he be so barefaced and shameless when he is occupying PUBLIC property?
Get rid of all these cowboys and give PUBLIC property back to the PUBLIC.
This includes beaches free from umbrellas and deckchairs of the beach cowboys.
Ken
Oct 22nd 2008, 10:33
Next Summer, when we Maltese or tourists are looking for an open air place to eat / have a drink we will be wrestling for tables as well. So now we will have less places with open air to choose from, less business for owners (and less part-time work for waiters etc.), less competition to the few owners who have their 'permits in order'........ but we have more space where to walk....... Pros and Cons....... but what would you prefer?