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TM insists removal of billboards is not politically motivated

Transport Malta officials today denied in court that Labour Party billboards were to be removed from the roads for reasons of political discrimination, and said they and other billboards were a safety hazard to drivers.

The Labour Party is asking the court to stop Transport Malta from removing its billboards. In its application, the PL said the billboards did not constitute a hazard and they were not placed on property belonging to Transport Malta. The party also claimed breach of freedom of expression.

In today's hearing, Brian Zahra, TM's senior manager, enforcement, said the decision to remove the billboards was taken higher up in the Authority. He said the billboards at issue were in Regional Road near the tunnels, another in Marsa near the Turkish cemetery; at Birkirkara Bypass and on the Coast Road. He said the billboards were illegal and constituted a hazard to drivers, especially the one in Marsa.

PL counsel Paul Lia, who appeared agitated, asked who had taken offence over these billboards. Was it the prime minister? This was political action and noting else.

Judge Anna Felice asked him to calm down.

Mr Zahra said his job was about enforcement and it was not his competence to decide whether a billboard was a health hazard.

Dr Lia said that according to a legal notice, the party did not need permission to place its billboards.

Party president Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi said a billboard could be left on the same site for 28 days. The person who was engaged by the PL to erect the billboards was instructed not to place them on the roads or pavement but land which was beyond. He said the PL had the right to convey its message. He said the request for a warrant was being made because the party also had billboards removed in April.

Dr Zrinzo Azzopardi said enforcement only began when the PL set up its own billboards. Other billboards, including those which belonged to Transport Malta itself as well as product advertisements had not been previously removed. Therefore the PL followed suit.

Architect and road engineer Audrey Testaferrata de Noto, head of transport research and development at TM, said the billboards were a hazard and she had advised that they posed a risk. This applied to all billboards she said. The Marsa billboard was particularly hazardous because it was near a junction and a billboard could not be within 50m of a junction. She said that an illuminated billboard at a petrol station in Marsa was not a distraction as it was on a straight road.

Stanley Portelli, CEO of Transport Malta said he had issued instructions for the removal of all billboards which were viewed as posing a hazard. He did so after seeking advice.

Judge Anna Felice is expected to hand down a decision in the coming days.

 

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Andy Farrugia

Jun 22nd 2012, 17:03

Oh well, at least they could print and read MALTA and NAZZJON!

Edward Curmi

Jun 22nd 2012, 10:36

The PL apologists wearing red blinkers do not understand unfortunately!! Who knows if thy were to have an accident because of these billboards!!

Joe Spiteri

Jun 21st 2012, 21:50

Well said! They are also a distraction to motorists.

Joe Tabone

Jun 22nd 2012, 09:02

Edy,
Naqblu fuq din, inhallu f-idejn il-Qorti!

ANTHONY PAVIA

Jun 21st 2012, 19:41

Good one Maria.

A Trapani

Jun 22nd 2012, 09:05

good one maria ... but.... removal of a hazardeous billboard is much less expensive than properly repairing a road. In the past, i had this bright idea to set up a business, selling billboard space and erecting one or two billboards around the island. the beurocracy won as there were so many restreictions with location and positioning that could not work for me. One of the restrictions was that you could not have any billboard on roundabouts..... today we see quite a few, hence, i'm happy that finally someone is doing something about it.

Carmel Serracino-inglott

Jun 21st 2012, 18:40

'Perhaps' nothing of the sort. TM is not a puppet of the government. You seem to still have the mentality of KMB's governmanship.

Lawrence Camilleri

Jun 21st 2012, 17:44

I don't see how you don't see a billboard to be a hazard to driver, Mr Casha. A billboard is meant to attract the notice of a driver and if it is placed where it can distract his attention to oncoming traffic, yes that is a hazard. It is a hazard whether on public or private land. Do we want to have more road fatalities and then putting the blame on the state of the roads or sue Transport Malta for neglecting in its duties?

Anthony Grech

Jun 21st 2012, 18:06

Lawrence Camilleri shall we ask our lovely Girls and handsome boys,not to use our roads for walking, because they too attract the notice of drivers of the oncoming traffic. Yes they might be a hazard too. Right Mr. Camilleri?

Joseph John Camilleri

Jun 21st 2012, 18:51

Yes all billboards are a safety hazard, especially the illuminated ones and should all be removed PL, PN and the bikini ones as well. And coming to mind what about those dazzling spotlights affixed to some shop fronts facing straight towards the traffic,like the one in Ganu Street. It literally blinds you.

R. Cilia

Jun 21st 2012, 18:58

Then why not remove ALL the billboards with such reasoning L.Camilleri?

R. Cilia

Jun 21st 2012, 19:04

Joseph Borg, sorry to disappoint you re your last sentence but TM is busy sending for persons with offensive number plates and are not interested in fixing roads!

Guzi Abela

Jun 21st 2012, 17:17

Thank you for confirming the PL billboards are not against the law. None of them are placed on a road, pavement/footway.

Anthony Grech

Jun 21st 2012, 17:18

Mr Tabone what does the Law says if these bill boards are not placed on property belonging to Transport Malta, and so not on a road which includes a pavement/footway?.

Joe Tabone

Jun 21st 2012, 17:53

@ Guzi & Anthony
Billboards must have MEPA approval when they are placed by the road side, in a field; even on your own private roof. The MEPA application is also approved by TM, amongst other Govt. entities.
I think a planning application is only natural, i hope we are not suggesting that everyone along a main road may place a billboard in his front garden (because it's private property).

John Zarb

Jun 21st 2012, 16:14

Bqajt wahdek Joe. Hutek kollha daru!!!!!

Mario J Spiteri

Jun 21st 2012, 16:48

Remove also those that belong to PN. The law is for all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Joe Tabone

Jun 21st 2012, 16:48

@ John Zarb
That's not a problem, one thing is for sure.........................i'm not a parrot!!

Joe Tabone

Jun 21st 2012, 16:56

@mario j spiteri
The principle is simple - remove all illegal billboards.

Anthony Grech

Jun 21st 2012, 17:24

Dear TM hazard is the way the road works are being carried out especially in Victoria. U mela l-bill boards. This is just pure discrimation.

A Trapani

Jun 22nd 2012, 09:12

well said Joe. This may be a clear case were the PL uses its political power to put pressure on a government in order to be able to abuse of law. The PL should and is not discriminized however... NO one is above law and illigal/hazardeousl billboards should be removed... besides, lets face it, we'd rather see Yamamay's swimwear billboards than Gonzi's face.

Francis Coquelin

Jun 21st 2012, 16:19

Are you employed by the MLP to comment on everything and anything political? Or do you just enjoy sitting in front of a computer all day? Just curious ......

M Grima

Jun 21st 2012, 16:35

@Francis Coquelin

As if it is any of your own business what Pat Muscat does with her free time Mr. Curious.

pat muscat

Jun 21st 2012, 17:20

Welcome mate; I see your name as often as mine. I am not even a member of PL..but really I can't stand the frustrations and fracas of GonziPNf anymore: don't yo feel the same?

Mario Brincat

Jun 21st 2012, 20:39

@pat...... but really I can't stand the frustrations and fracas of GonziPNf anymore: don't yo feel the same? Not at all dear, actually I wish I can enter your mind to see what's inside even for a few minutes

Edward Curmi

Jun 22nd 2012, 10:42

I am not a member of PL!!!..I doubt it.........never ever a comment in favour...who knows maybe if Pl are elected you will change your attitude??

Mario J Spiteri

Jun 21st 2012, 16:51

Skuzi Mr. Vella, b'kull mezz possibli ghax jekk tal-PL huma mwaqqfin perikoluzi nistiednek li tara ohrajn huma ta min huma kif inhuma.
Insomma taht il-PN jidher x'inhuma ghax iridu biss li jasal lehinhom u lil haddieoir jaghlquhulu.

John Zarb

Jun 21st 2012, 15:37

IL-PN ilu jaghmel li jrid Maria ghax ghandu l-gvern tieghu. Sahansitra l-partit nazzjonalista anki ghamel kompetizzjoni ta' gurnata mal-prim ministru. Il-PN hallat il-partit mal-gvern. Din Qatt ma kellha issir.

M Grima

Jun 21st 2012, 16:38

Ha, ha, ha, ha, int bis-serjeta Mari. Intom tal PN kissirtu lill-Malta u issa qed tinharqu mhabba erba billboards. Ara vera ipokriti!!!!

Mario J Spiteri

Jun 21st 2012, 16:52

Ms Vassallo, zgur mhux daqs il-PN!
Mela qed tahseb li artna hi taghkhom biss?

Lawrence Fenech

Jun 21st 2012, 15:40

@Joseph.

Prosit. Din tat-trakkijiet li jieqfu kullimkien f'nofs it-triq biex jixtru min xi hanut tax-xorb jew ta' l'ikel hi veru.

Carmel Serracino-inglott

Jun 21st 2012, 18:37

What does Gonzipn has to do with TM's decision?

Mr Ernest Vella

Jun 21st 2012, 15:34

jekk ma jiksrux il-ligi nimmagina li l-ebda wiehed ghandu jitnehha

Carmel Serracino-inglott

Jun 21st 2012, 18:34

Where are they? No where so none is the answer. Either way all illegal bill boards should be removed.

Joe Tabone

Jun 21st 2012, 15:56

Joe,
It seems that neither you pass from this area as this billboard has been removed!

Mario Brincat

Jun 21st 2012, 20:27

Why don't they remove sexy females as well, they too can be considered a hazard as (male) drivers can end up distracting themselves by looking at their bottoms instead of the road

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