Shop owners stop Transport Malta from removing pavement extension

A warrant of prohibitory injunction to stop Transport Malta from demolishing a pavement extended by the St Paul’s Bay council to ensure a safe passage for pedestrians was provisionally upheld by the courts. Joseph, Miguel and Mariana Portelli, who own Lotto Office 315, Michele’s Cafeteria and Tipsy Wines and Tobacconists on Tourists Street corner with Maskli Street told the court that a plan to relocate a zebra crossing in the vicinity was also in the pipeline. They said that the council, which was threatened to remove the extension by the authority, tried to reach an agreement but received an outright refusal. The council was given three days to remove the extension back in July and a suspension was sought. The shop owners called on the court to stop Transport Malta from going ahead with the demolition of the extension. They argued that the authority had no power to order or carry out such a removal because this fell exclusively within the remit of the Malta Environment and Planning Authority. Lawyers David Camilleri and Joseph Gatt appeared for the shop owners.