Qawra residents are complaining that a food and drinks kiosk shifted to the centre of the promenade is blocking their view of the sea.

Close to the Fra Ben area of the promenade, the kiosk is surrounded by tables, chairs and umbrellas.

“It’s blocking the pathway where most families used to enjoy going for a walk and the tables and chairs are placed around the kiosk,” said Charles Azzopardi and his wife Carol, whose home is located a few metres away.

The couple and another 17 residents have filed a judicial protest against the Prime Minister, a number of ministries and the planning authority complaining about the kiosk, which was relocated earlier this year because of construction work on a new, €15.5 million aquarium.

They argued that the kiosk would cause traffic congestion and noise pollution as drivers stopped to make purchases, especially in summer and at weekends.

Mr Azzopardi insisted that they had nothing against other kiosk owners but were irked that this particular one was in the middle of a set of benches.

The other kiosks are all set away from the promenade, leaving it free for everyone to walk at ease, he said.

A Land Department spokesman confirmed the kiosk had been relocated because of the aquarium project and was given an “encroachment permit to occupy the space off Qawra Road” on January 31.

Although the location was chosen by the Malta Tourism Authority, the spokesman said the department investigated and confirmed that the positioning and dimensions were in line with the encroachment permit.

When contacted, a planning authority spokesman said that the kiosk’s relocation was approved through a development notification order, which expired last month.

“The authority is assessing the situation on site and will be proceeding on this issue according to law,” he said.