The National Parents’ Society of Persons with Disability (NPSPD) would like to draw the attention of the responsible authorities regarding two widely used walkways in the north of Malta which need to be attended to at the earliest.

The footpath at Għadira Bay, just by the beach, is inaccessible to persons with mobility problems in view of the high kerbs that lack suitable ramps for wheelchairs.

The only footpath from Marfa to Ċirkewwa also lacks ramps at its ends and is very dangerous as it does not have any protective railings along it. At certain areas there are high drops of around two storeys without any protection. This is dangerous for all but especially for young children and disabled persons. Unfortunately, at the other side of the road there is no pavement. A short video may be seen on the internet at joseph-jocal.blogspot.com.

The lack of ramps means the footpath is inaccessible for wheelchair users. Electric wheelchair users do not go up kerbs and it is very risky to lift and then help down persons in wheelchairs. The only solution is for the person to move in the road along with the speeding vehicles with the obvious risk this entails. This is dangerous at daytime and so much more when it gets dark.

These promenades, used all the year round by Maltese and tourists alike, have been left in this state for years. Are the authorities going to wait for an accident to happen before action is taken? It is high time that necessary action is taken in the immediate future.