Commissioner for Environment and Planning interviewed on Radju Malta

Commissioner for Environment and Planning interviewed on Radju Malta

Published January 26, 2026

The Commissioner for Environment and Planning, Perit Alan Saliba, was recently interviewed by Tonio Bonello on the programme Il-Polz taċ-Ċittadin on Radju Malta. The interview centred on the position paper issued by the Office of the Parliamentary Ombudsman, Ensuring Safe and Unobstructed Mobility on Public Pavements and in Public Places.

The conversation addressed the growing and persistent problem of pavements and public spaces being obstructed, often by outdoor furniture such as tables and chairs placed by catering establishments. Perit Saliba discussed how this long-standing issue has now reached a point where it requires coordinated national attention.

The discussion expanded to cover the broader implications of obstructed pavements, beyond mere inconvenience. The Commissioner noted that mobility is a right enshrined in both Maltese and international legal frameworks. Public pavements are not optional or secondary, they are essential infrastructure intended to ensure free and safe movement for all, particularly those with limited mobility.

Perit Saliba also discussed the safety dimension of the issue. Obstructed pedestrian routes can hinder emergency access and expose pedestrians to avoidable risks, especially when people are forced to step onto the carriageway.

He outlined the recommendations made in the position paper, including clearer licensing procedures, marked boundaries, public transparency by the Lands Authority, stronger enforcement powers for the Planning Authority, and routine inspection mechanisms. He also underlined the importance of public authorities embedding accessibility into the early stages of planning, not treating it as an afterthought.

During the interview, the Commissioner also answered questions from several listeners who called in during the programme.