Momentum calls on the Ombudsman to urgently investigate dangerous and illegal structures along the Sliema and Gżira seafront

Momentum has formally requested the Ombudsman to investigate and enforce the law regarding illegal restaurant structures along Triq ix-Xatt in Sliema and Gzira, following a detailed risk report prepared by Shield Consultants, commissioned by Sliema resident Anna Maria Baldacchino.

The report highlights how these canopies and outdoor extensions:

●      Block access for emergency vehicles such as fire engines and ambulances.

●      Pose a direct safety risk to pedestrians, including people with disabilities and families with young children.

●      Clearly breach planning permit conditions.

●      Increase fire and public health risks in a densely populated residential area.

Momentum has called on the Ombudsman to investigate why authorities, including the Planning Authority, have failed to enforce the law and to ensure urgent action is taken to restore safety and legality along the seafront.

“The safety and accessibility of residents and the public must not be sacrificed for commercial profit,” said Matthew Agius, spokesperson for Momentum. “This lack of enforcement has left the community exposed to serious risks.”

Attached is the detailed report by the consultants and the letter to the Ombudsman.

Momentum jitlob lill-Ombudsman biex jinvestiga b’urġenza strutturi perikolużi u illegali tul il-kosta ta’ Tas-Sliema u l-Gżira

Momentum talab formalment lill-Ombudsman biex jinvestiga u jinforza l-liġi rigward strutturi illegali ta’ ristoranti tul Triq ix-Xatt f’Tas-Sliema u l-Gzira, wara rapport dettaljat dwar ir-riskju mħejji minn Shield Consultants, ikkummissjonat mir-residenta ta’ Tas-Sliema Anna Maria Baldacchino.

Ir-rapport jenfasizza kif dawn it-tined u l-estensjonijiet ta’ barra:

●      Jimblukkaw l-aċċess għal vetturi ta’ emerġenza bħal vetturi tat-tifi tan-nar u ambulanzi.

●      Jippreżentaw riskju dirett għas-sigurtà tal-persuni mexjin, inklużi persuni b’diżabilità u familji bi tfal żgħar.

●      Jiksru b’mod ċar il-kundizzjonijiet tal-permess tal-ippjanar.

●      Jżidu r-riskji tan-nar u tas-saħħa pubblika f’żona residenzjali b’densità tal-popolaazzjoni gholja.

Momentum appella lill-Ombudsman biex jinvestiga għaliex l-awtoritajiet, inkluża l-Awtorità tal-Ippjanar, naqsu milli jinfurzaw il-liġi u biex jiżguraw li tittieħed azzjoni urġenti biex terġa’ tinkiseb is-sigurtà u l-legalità tul il-kosta.l msemmija.

“Is-sigurtà u l-aċċessibbiltà tar-residenti u l-pubbliku m’għandhomx jiġu ssagrifikati għall-profitt kummerċjali,” qal Matthew Agius, kelliem għal Momentum. “Dan in-nuqqas ta’ infurzar ħallalill-komunità esposta għal riskji serji.”

Mehmuż hawn ir-rapport dettaljat mill-konsulenti u l-ittra lill-Ombudsman.

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