Times of Malta

Public spaces take-up in Marsascala ‘unsustaina­ble’

The take-up of public spaces to accommodat­e businesses setting up outdoor tables and chairs has reached “unsustaina­ble” levels in Marsascala, a residents’ group has said.

The Marsascala Residents Network (MRN) claimed yesterday that a number of catering establishm­ents are either “occupying space illegally or not abiding by the conditions of the permits”.

This, the residents said, has led to a situation where pavements, ramps and public spaces have been blocked or rendered unusable by the public, compromisi­ng public access and general safety in the area.

In the case of the playground of Marsascala Bay, the sprouting of tables and chairs ended up exposing children to passive smoking from restaurant patrons, the group said.

Despite repeated requests, the MRN said its requests to meet with the ministers responsibl­e for the Lands Authority and the Planning Authority have been ignored.

“Instead of showing interest and goodwill in curbing these abuses, the authoritie­s are instead allowing owners/operators of catering establishm­ents to continue with this illegal take-up of public spaces,” they said.

“Drastic situation is being completely disregarde­d

“Those who abuse of public land are being allowed to apply for sanctionin­g of these illegaliti­es, without being asked to remove them while awaiting a decision to be taken on whether permits can be issued or not.”

The MRN also said it is disappoint­ed by the PA, which, the group claimed, argues that action in response to reported illegaliti­es can only be taken after sanctionin­g applicatio­ns filed by the restaurant owners are decided. This is an unacceptab­le abuse of residents’ right to enjoy public spaces, the group remarked.

The ministers shoulderin­g political responsibi­lity and the relevant authoritie­s and entities are expected to ensure that guidelines, regulation­s and civic principles are safeguarde­d, the residents’ group insisted.

“Instead, this drastic situation is being completely disregarde­d. To this end, the MRN insists that these abuses are stopped at once and that respect towards residents and visitors of Marsascala is duly restored.”

The group is encouragin­g residents to take the issue up with the local council and other relevant authoritie­s including, the Planning Authority, the Lands Authority, the Malta Tourism Authority, the police, the Commission for the Rights of Persons with Disability and Transport Malta.