Close to 50 illegal billboards were removed from a number of arterial roads in Malta by the direct action team of the Malta Environment and Planning Authority over the past days.

This operation, which was carried out during the late hours of the night or early hours of the morning to reduce problems of traffic congestion and inconvenience to commuters, covered a number of areas in St Paul’s Bay, Naxxar, Swieqi, St Julians, Zebbug, Qormi, Luqa, Mosta and Attard.

The authority will continue this operation and keep removing all freestanding billboards assembled without a permit.

Mepa also sealed off an illegal extension within the kitchen area of a restaurant in Qui-Si-Sana, Sliema. Other illegalities on site which included an external glass framed structure on the façade of the restaurant were removed by the owner.

Members of the Administrative Law Enforcement were on site to assist in the operations.