Sliema Council said today that it is insisting that as far as possible, tower cranes needed for construction should be placed within the construction sites rather than blocking streets or taking up parking spaces.

In a statement, the council said it is working to ensure that  all construction regulations in Sliema are adhered to.

"One of the main issues which has caused inconvenience to residents in Sliema in recent years is the practice of placing tower cranes in the streets with the result that streets are either closed off to traffic or parking bays are taken up.

"The fee established by law for the placing of such tower cranes is only €2.33 per day, however the Council has full discretion to issue or renounce crane permits in Sliema streets," the council said.

In May, a few weeks after being formed, a sub-committee formed by the council had meetings with the developers where cranes were located and discussed their work programmes.

As a result, in the past weeks, expired permits for tower cranes were not granted extensions.

Tower cranes were removed in Old College Street, Creche Street,  Sir Arturo Mercieca Street and in Don Rua Street.