Initiatives to improve state of Paceville

The Malta Tourism Authority noted with disappointment the statement issued by the Malta and Gozo Restaurants Association in connection with initiatives to improve the Paceville environs.

Last summer, the MTA had taken the initiative of alleviating some of the problems associated with Paceville in collaboration with the Police, the MHRA, the GRTU and the St. Julian's Local Council. Measures implemented over the summer months and the Christmas period included an increase in the number of police officers on the beat, a Red Cross ambulance manned by four fully-trained first-aid personnel and intensified public-cleansing efforts on weekends.

Although this initiative was originally planned to be a one-off MTA-funded pilot project, due to its success and popularity, the MTA and its partners decided to repeat the implementation of these measures this summer, with particular emphasis on weekends and public holidays. The St Julian's Local Council is also contributing financially to this year’s efforts.

The MTA said it would like to encourage the MGRA to co-operate with it in implementing such initiatives rather than simply criticising efforts made in an attempt to improve the state of Paceville for the benefit of the local residents, consumers and the business community.