Down St Paul Street in Rabat, pedestrians have to get off the pavement and into the narrow traffic-heavy road on Saturday evenings and all day every Sunday because a bar proprietor seems to assume ownership over the public road, to place tables for drinkers.

It is not a bad idea for patrons to drink in the open air in Malta’s dry summer weather, but to force walkers, such as women pushing prams, off the pavement and into the road is a bit too much. And the road is heavily used by traffic too, so walking by the pavement, when the road is so narrow, is to risk life and limb. Drivers do not show much consideration either, they rev past at quite some speed.

And all because a bar owner apparently thinks Malta owes him a good profit, though he does not pay anything extra for his abuse. And paying extra should not be accepted either, the bar owner’s practice should be banned outright. I understand that the Malta Environment and Planning Authority is aware of the situation, but residents are wondering why the abuse is allowed.

J. Falzon

Rabat