Jimmy Magro, Żebbuġ
Planting trees in path of pedestrians
In Malta, we have had the practice of growing trees on pavements which are not even wide enough for a single pedestrian. These trees have now grown and their roots are wreaking havoc to many pavements.
Still, new roads and new pavements are being filled with new trees that once grown will be found unsuitable for such locations.
The same applies to central strips. The Żebbuġ-Rabat road has big trees that are a danger to any vehicles passing through. Recently, olive trees have also been planted here. Surely olive trees are not suitable for central strips.
I would like to ask the Malta Environment and Planning Authority and/or Transport Malta whether there are any regulations and guidelines on the planting of trees in open spaces, pavements, central strips, roundabouts and other areas used by motorists and pedestrians.
Furthermore, the authorities must ensure that trees/shrubs are not located at the end of central strips as these create a blind spot for oncoming motorists.
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Ramon Casha
Sep 23rd 2011, 10:41
Not only trees, but electricity poles, festa ornaments and crash barriers are often placed right on a (narrow) pavement. Sometimes you get a festa decoration and, on the street adjacent to it, a hot dog seller, to make sure that any pedestrians have to walk to the very middle of the road.
Mr Carmel Saliba
Sep 22nd 2011, 22:58
Well said Mr Jimmy Magro.
But why only foreigners commented on your important observations?
Mr Peter Barbara
Sep 22nd 2011, 15:51
Seems like what is good for other countries is never good for us. All over Europe ( and the whole world) you find pavements lined with trees - . In some towns like Athens, the pavements are full of citrus trees -the list is too exhaustive to mention but I think everybody notices the close proximity of trees lining roads and streets and avenues, when venturing abroad in foreign cities - this without the discomfort of seeing pavements bulging outwards or roots coming out of the pavements. Speaking for myself I always feel envious when comparing these countries with Malta as regards greenery. I agree with Mr.Magro, however that some species of trees grown here tend to be unsuitable for some locations in the long run.
Mrs Janet Bayes
Sep 22nd 2011, 10:50
If the pavement is not wide enough for a pedestrian, how can it have a tree planted in the middle?
BTW - - this is not just a maltese eccentricity - - Greece do this too.
Peadar Farrell
Sep 22nd 2011, 11:26
Ha Ha , does that make it right??? Lots of examples around Marsalforn no consideration for ladies with prams, people in wheelchairs, the eldery or even blind people.
Mrs Janet Bayes
Sep 22nd 2011, 17:45
PEADAR
If its not wide enough for a pedestrian why do you suppose you can push a wheelchair or a pram on it? So what difference a tree makes?