The St Paul’s Bay area sub-committee of the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association has thanked the Tourism and Culture Ministry for trying to help avoid “unjustified work” in the area, which was causing a great deal of hardship in connection with the operation of their hotels and to local tourism in general.

The MHRA also thanked ADT CEO Gianfranco Selvaggi for his help and for the publication of new guidelines to all Public Works entities that ensure that no roadworks are allowed in front of or around hotels between May and October unless the work is absolutely necessary.

“Had the work been carried out between January and March, as originally planned, it would not have been an issue,” said the MHRA.

“However, no consultation with the parties that would be affected by such work, to identify a convenient period during which the work would have caused the least inconvenience, was ever entertained,” it said.

The association said it appreciated the fact that the work is in the interests of both the residents and the commercial entities in the area.

However, it was also important to consider the inconvenience factor during the planning stages.

“Once deadlines are agreed, all parties should be then committed to those deadlines,”said the MHRA.