The owners of bumping cars in Bugibba are holding the Land Department responsible for the damages they claim they have suffered due to being unable to operate their ride and trampoline for two consecutive summers.

In a judicial protest against the director general of lands, Joseph and Miriam Lia said that because of the water park and the new aquarium in Bugibba they have effectively been stopped from operating their business.

They said that the last time they operated was in 2011 and although they were provided with an alternative site, this was inadequate for their purpose as it was too small.

They said that when the previous administration promised them a solution, they identified a tract of land and prepared the necessary applications to be granted permission to use it.

A Mepa permit was obtained but the Land Department, which had not objected to their Mepa application, refused to issue an encroachment permit for that land.

The department said that the government was tied to an agreement whereby no other business could be operated within 50 meters of the new aquarium.