Paceville residents and people who work in the area have complained to this newsroom about the excessive incursion on pavements by restaurants, bars and cafes through the use of tables and chairs.
The issue of tables and chairs taking up pavement space has long been a topic on contention.
One prevailing argument is however, that pedestrians should have access to at least a passageway where pedestrians can safely walk on the pavement.
This however, does not seem to be the case in parts St Julian's anymore. Images of the situation in Paceville leave much to be desired, with near to no room for people to walk on the pavement, let alone persons using wheelchairs, or parents with a baby in a pram.
This newsroom sent questions to the Planning Authority to check whether the establishments have permits, and, if not, to ask what action will be taken. No response, however, was received by the time of going to print.
Commissioner for the Rights of Persons with Disability Oliver Scicluna, speaking with this newsroom about the general situation of tables and chairs on pavements blocking pedestrian passage, said that some follow the policy regarding tables and chairs and others don't.
He stressed that whenever he receives a complaint, he contacts the relevant authorities: "In my opinion, pavements belong to the people, and there is no other argument."
He said that a space must be left for people to walk through when tables and chairs are placed on pavements, and also stressed that persons with mobility impairments should not be made to move onto the street.
The Commission, he said, is working on a policy called 'streets for all' which will include a consultation period. This policy, he said, deals with issues involving pavements such ramps onto pavements, the size of pavements and the like.
The issue of tables and chairs taking up space has been an issue highlighted by environmentalists and sociologists in the past.
Michael Briguglio, a sociologist and a local councillor, recently highlighted the problem in his video blog on The Malta Independent's web portal. He had said that pavements are being occupied by tables and chairs, as well as through construction, stating that many a time elderly persons and persons with mobility impairments are being forced to walk on the road. He mentioned accidents involving persons being hit by cars on the road.
FAA Coordinator Claire Bonello previously spoke with this newsroom in April, and said that café areas abroad are located in pedestrian areas, or on wide pavements. "In Sliema and Gzira, they are putting up catering platforms on parking spaces, which contributes to a decrease in parking space, in addition to it creating a dangerous situation. You cannot have diners share the road with traffic... Either limit them to pedestrianised areas or at least ensure that they are in areas where traffic is slow and roads are wide." She has, in the past, also highlighted the danger of leaving no space for pedestrians on pavements.
Paceville itself has seen controversial situations surrounding tables and chairs in the past. One such example, the once dubbed 'monstrous' large structure which was built to accommodate tables and chairs outside a catering establishment in Paceville avenue taking up parking spaces.
Mayor Guido Dalli, contacted by this newsroom, said that as a council they wish pavements were there for people to use, but asked that since tables and chairs have been given to so many, what can be done. "Should government remove them for everyone, or accept the few left as long as they are reasonable applications. It is an issue for discussion."
He highlighted however that structures like the one which was present on Paceville avenue, the so called monstrosity which was being built to accommodate tables and chairs taking up parking spaces, would set a precedent for others to do the same, and that the situation present on pavements would then follow onto parking spaces. He had expressed strong disagreement with that construction.
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