The Sliema local council will be asking the government to ban street hawkers along the promenade, saying the authorities appear toothless in the face of repeated abuse.
Mayor Anthony Chircop told Times of Malta the most frequent complaint was that street hawker vans were being left parked overnight, in prime areas, in breach of licence conditions.
Apart from occupying precious parking space, in some cases these street hawkers encroached on part of the promenade by placing chairs, tables and other items.
Residents have lost faith and we doubt the willingness to take action
He complained that police enforcement was sporadic and the illegalities usually resumed a few days later.
“In the circumstances, residents have lost faith in the authorities and we are starting to doubt their willingness to take action. As a result, the only possible solution would be an outright ban on street hawkers in designated areas like the promenade,” Mr Chircop said.
Such a measure would require changes to subsidiary legislation within the framework of trading licences regulations, which fall outside the council’s remit. This legislation lists areas where such activity is banned such as St George’s Square and Castille Square, in Valletta, as well as the precincts of the airport and the sea passenger terminal.
‘Flabbergasted’ at police reply
Last month, this newspaper highlighted the council’s frustration on this matter, saying it could do little apart from referring complaints to the relevant authorities. The item included a photo of a particular structure in the shape of a galleon parked on The Strand, which had been noticed in the same spot for weeks.
I can vouch that the illegalities persisted and the galleon-shaped kiosk not far from the Nazzarenu church is testament to this
Replying to questions by Times of Malta, the police said no kiosks were found parked at night along The Strand. They noted that all of them were licensed but one particular hawker faced charges for placing fridges and other items on the promenade.
Mr Chircop said he was flabbergasted at the police reply.
“I can vouch that the illegalities persisted and the galleon-shaped kiosk not far from the Nazzarenu church is testament to this.”
He remarked that the fact that this kiosk had electricity supply proved that it was sited there permanently. The council is also unhappy with the situation in Dingli Circus.
“A number of fruit and vegetable hawkers are leaving their vehicle permanently parked overnight.
“Apart from aggravating the parking problem, residents have complained that the waste accumulated throughout the day is being left underneath the vehicles, causing further inconveniences,” the mayor said.
Apart from street hawkers, the council is also keen to organise the pleasure cruise ticket booths, along The Strand, which are occupying a large chunk of the promenade.
“This time last year, the government had pledged to address this problem by drafting a new policy that should have been out by spring but we have heard nothing yet,” he said.
Mr Chircop said the state of lawlessness was also evident from the fact that buskers were being allowed to take over benches along the Sliema front and use them to display their wares.
“Worse than that, the decorative lighting on the floating sphere monument in Tower Road has been mysteriously readjusted and is now pointing towards the spot used by the buskers,” he said.