St George's Square to get emergency alarm after blocked ambulance incidents
The measure was proposed by health authorities
An alarm system will be installed in Victoria’s St George’s Square to alert businesses to clear tables, chairs and shop displays to make way for ambulances attending emergencies.
Victoria's mayor, Brian Azzopardi first announced the alarm system in an interview with talk.mt. He said the idea had been proposed to the council by health authorities, including the CEO of Gozo General Hospital.
The square has drawn controversy in recent years, with businesses occupying the public land in front of the basilica and filling it with tables and chairs, creating obstacles for emergency vehicles.
In March last year, the Archpriest of St George's parish raised concerns over "land grabbers" in the square, describing the situation as "intolerable".
And this April, an ambulance was blocked by tables and shop stands while trying to reach a man suffering a heart attack. The ambulance driver was forced to get out of the ambulance and move the tables and chairs himself as the man fought for life inside the church.
Two months earlier, an elderly man had to be carried from the square on a stretcher after the ambulance could not reach the Gozo piazza.
Speaking to Times of Malta, the mayor confirmed the “temporary” solution was accepted by the council until the masterplan for the square is updated the space for chairs and tables limited.
Azzopardi reiterated his calls for more enforcement, noting the chairs and tables placed in the square were "illegal" and without permits.
He explained the alarm would be installed and controlled by the Gozo General Hospital, with an alarm sounded in the event of an emergency.
Shops on Strada San Guzepp – the street leading to the square – will also have to remove their displays to create enough space for ambulances to pass through the narrow road, explained Azzopardi.
“I would like to emphasise that this was the health authorities' idea, and while this is not the ideal solution, the council’s priority is to safeguard the people’s wellbeing and health,” he said.
“Our priority is also to enforce the law. If there was enforcement and respect towards the law, this measure (the alarm) would not be needed.”
Azzopardi said he has not been informed when the alarm will be installed.
Questions were sent to the Health Ministry.
In February, the Lands Authority filed plans to regulate the take-up of tables in chairs in St George's Square. At the time, a spokesperson for the minsitry said the proposal would provide "adequate space for tables and chairs" whilst also respecting the historic urban space of the square.
The plans show that roughly half of the square will be dedicated to tables and chairs.
The parish slammed the proposed master plan, however, stating the plan "strips the people of their rights" and would create more problems, rather than solving them.