Both the Exiles Water Polo Club and the Sliema local council agree that there should be access for disabled people at the Exiles beach, but both say that the ramp built is “aesthetically ugly” and could have been constructed in such a way to blend in better with the environment of the area.
Part of the brick structure was pulled down as soon as the Malta Tourism Authority, which is responsible for the structure, received queries from The Malta Independent on Sunday last Thursday week. This newspaper reported last Sunday that sections of the walls were being pulled down to be replaced by railings.
The MTA, replying to a fresh set of questions submitted by this newspaper last Thursday, said the ramp has been located in the only ‘disturbed’ surface in the area. The design of the ramp takes into consideration the standards laid by the National Commission for Persons with Disability, which approved the project.
This newspaper went on site again last Thursday. While part of the walls that formed the zigzag pattern of the ramp have been removed, and will eventually be replaced by railings, other walls have remained and they are still an eyesore. It will also still be difficult for two wheelchairs going in opposite directions simultaneously.
The ramp, as built, will also be an obstacle to catering establishments in the area. Joe Fenech Soler, who runs the Exiles Water Polo Club bar and restaurant (Nikki Beach), told this newspaper that it would now be a problem for crates of food and drink to be brought down.
He said he has nothing against the building of an access ramp for disabled people, but it should have been done differently.
Likewise, Andrew Paris, who is president of the Exiles Water Polo Club, said that the club was in favour of having access for disabled people, but “it must be admitted that the structure that has been built is ugly. The walls are too high, and are serving as an enclosure for people to relieve themselves,” he said.
Contacted by this newspaper, Sliema mayor Nikki Dimech said the council had received several complaints from residents who questioned the aesthetics of the structure.
“The MTA has to be commended for the sterling work it has carried out to make Sliema beaches more accessible, but at the same time such a structure does not blend in with the area.”
In its answers, the MTA said given that the work involved in upgrading access to the Sliema coastal stretch is based on a measured work contract that is still being carried out, the actual cost of the ramp couldn’t be submitted at this stage. The cost of these minor upgrading interventions in Fond Ghadir and Exiles are being borne by the MTA.
The duty to provide access to all public areas is not only a moral obligation, but also a legal one under the Equal Opportunities Act, the MTA said. No ramp is visually attractive, and its size is always deemed to be intrusive particularly in the context of an area that previously did not have a ramp. However, this is not so much a matter of aesthetics but of providing access to people with walking disabilities, in wheelchairs, mothers with buggies, elderly people, and so on.
The application submitted by MTA for minor upgrading and improving accessibility to the coastal stretch would not have been approved unless a ramp is provided. The ramp was vetted by the National Commission for Persons with Disability to conform to its standards and approved by it.
While alternative sites were considered for the ramp, this was deemed to be the most convenient. MTA appreciated the concern raised that the sides of the ramp may look unattractive, and took on the suggestion to remove the low side wall and replace it with a railing to minimise its visual impact.
The MTA held various discussions with the Sliema local council and with the president of the Exiles Water Polo Club about the interventions. The club never objected to the ramp, MTA said. Indeed, the provision of this ramp enabled the club to proceed with its own Mepa application to improve its facilities without the need of having to provide an additional ramp to its facilities. The club moreover asked MTA for permission to refer to this ramp in the club’s Mepa application.
The ramp has been located in the only ‘disturbed’ surface in the area, MTA said. Given that the space is restricted it is not feasible to build a wider ramp. Given that the distance of the ramp is limited, it is unlikely that a person coming up the ramp would not see a person about to descend the ramp or vice versa, MTA said.
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