The front door to my house in Valletta is one of the few that opens outwards unto the pavement (a feature dating back to the 16th century, and not possible to change). There are fading yellow lines outside my door that indicate a no parking zone and yet it is not the first time that people park on the pavement anyway. Wardens say they will not risk handing fines in my particular street as they fear for their own safety (sic).

I, along with my elderly father, have become expert at squeezing through and at manoeuvring heavy shopping bags over the illegally parked cars. Yet, at times there have been cases when getting out of the house was actually impossible. In one such case, the council, police and wardens have eschewed responsibility when asked to tow away the offending cars obstructing the doorway.

Could someone advise me as to which department is responsible for towing away the car and what else I can do to avoid this happening again - for example, am I within the law to place a bollard on the edge of the pavement? In an emergency, the consequences could be too serious to contemplate.