Arriva, Qormi council resolve fireworks permit issue

Updated 8.25 p.m.

Arriva Malta and Qormi Council in a joint statement this evening said that following talks, they had agreed a mutually acceptable position which will permit the San Bastjan fireworks show to proceed as planned this weekend while minimising disruption to bus passengers travelling on services to, from and through the Marsa Park & Ride site.

Earlier in the day, Qormi council and fireworks enthusiasts complained that Arriva was refusing to temporarily shift the Qormi-Marsa park & ride to allow the safe letting off of fireworks from a nearby site.

In the statement this evening, Arriva Malta said it appreciated the importance of the festa for Maltese residents but at the same time it had a duty to ensure that a safe and workable environment for its staff and passengers was maintained.

No details of the agreement were given.

Addressing a news conference in the afternoon, Mayor Jesmond Aquilina said the fireworks were usually let off from a field that was now within 200 metres of the Arriva Park & Ride.

Therefore, police permission for the letting off of fireworks could only be issued if Arriva accepted to relocate its park & ride facility between 6 and 11 p.m. next Saturday and Sunday.

The council proposed to Arriva that during this time, part of Mdina Road would be closed off to be used by the company.

The mayor said that Qormi residents loved their feast and they would never forgive Arriva, if it did not give in.

Mr Aquilina said that although there were another two points from where fireworks could be let off, the society also needed to let off some fireworks from this point for safety reasons.

Arriva, he said, should respect Maltese traditions.