A stable, scarpyard, a number of concrete platforms, caravans, derelict cars, billboards and barriers were among various illegal structures removed by Mepa Enforcement officers over the past days.

The Authority said its officials demolished a stable that was illegally constructed at Ix-Xaghra tal-Pergla, in the limits of Xaghra, Gozo. They also removed over 20 cars and several car parts which were illegally kept in this same field.

The Authority had previously been stopped from carrying out its operation due to a court prohibitory injunction.

In Marsascala, the enforcement directorate demolished a number of concrete platforms that over the years were constructed along the St Thomas Bay coast for caravans and other similar structures. Mepa also removed two caravans that have become permanently stationed on site.

Steel pipe barriers and planters were also removed from a pavement outside Villa Cassar Torregiani in Balluta Bay, where they had been placed illegally by a catering establishment and were preventing pedestrians from crossing over to the Sliema promenade.

The Authority said that over the past few weeks it also removed a number of billboards that were either free standing or placed against a blank party wall from several localities around Malta including Marsa, Bir id-Deheb, Santa Venera, Mriehel, Hamrun, Qormi, Zebbug and Mellieha. Three days prior to this direct action operation, MEPA placed a notice on several illegal billboards. More than 30 billboards were removed by their owners.

"Following the considerable increase in direct action operations over the past months, the Authority has continued to witness a growing trend of contravenors who are wisely choosing to remove their illegal development prior to any action being taken by the Authority. In fact, over the past month a scarpyard in the limits of Xewkija was cleared away, a garage that was illegally converted into a shop, in Naxxar, was brought back to its orginal use and an illegal structure placed in the parking area facing the main access to St. Thomas Bay was also removed," Mepa said.