Accessibility Concerns Raised As New Public Mellieħa Stairs Do Not Incorporate Ramp
Various concerns on accessibility have been raised as new public stairs in Mellieħa do not seem to have a ramp incorporated within the design.
PN MP Ivan Castillo commended the new staircase, however, he questioned whether a ramp will be included in order to ensure accessibility and inclusion for all.
“It is ridiculous, first we talk about inclusion then we exclude people who are in need. People with disabilities and parents with pushchairs have no access at all,” Castillo told Lovin Malta.
“I cannot understand how the Planning Authority approved such a staircase,” Castillo said. He also questioned whether the Commission for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities was consulted on the design of the stairs.
“Can’t believe that we are in 2022 and these things are still happening,” a resident said reacting to the staircase.
“To pass from the road to get to the back of the road is not possible, as one side of the pavement is not wide enough, and the other now has stairs,” they said.
Upon reaching out to the Mellieħa local council, executive secretary Carmel Debono confirmed that the council is not behind the works.
“Infrastructure Malta is behind the works. The project is not under the local council and as far as I know, everything is being done according to the Planning Authority scheme,” Debono told Lovin Malta.
Lovin Malta also reached out to Infrastructure Malta for a comment on the works.
“Infrastructure Malta is building a staircase that was schemed in the North West Local Plan (2006) for the indicated area. A ramp was not included in the local plan. The agency also obtained the required road works permit to carry out these works,” an IM spokesperson told Lovin Malta.
“CRPD guidelines state that no series of ramps should rise a total of more than 2 metres. In the area in question, the change in level between roads is more than 4 metres.”
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