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Auditor slams dangerous ramp in front of old people’s home The development of a ramp in front Dar Madre Margherita in Main Street, Qormi has taken over the whole width of the pavement, forcing pedestrians to step on the traffic carriageway to pass along this stretch of road.Following the approval of the permit, the MEPA board asked auditor Joe Falzon to investigate why this permit was issued in the first place. In his report, Falzon concluded that since the ramp was obstructing a public walkway, MEPA should never have approved this application. But in his deliberation, Falzon also questioned the advice given by the National Commission of Persons with Disability (KNPD) as this was crucial in the decision to approve the application. The auditor claims that although meant to provide access to persons with mobility problems, the ramp was not in accordance with the requirements of the Commission. In fact the case officer report states that both the ramp gradients and landings were deemed unacceptable by the Commission. But after a while, another letter from the Commission declared that in the circumstances, the development could be accepted. The case officer report states that at this stage MEPA was advised that the development was “in general conformity” with the commission’s guidelines. “My conclusion is that either the requirements of the Commission are not based on sound principles or else they recommended a development which was actually dangerous to persons using the ramp, whom they have a statutory obligation to assist,” notes Falzon in his report. When contacted by MaltaToday, KNDP chairman Joe Camilleri confirmed that the access audit rightly concluded that the ramp did not conform to the access guideline but never used the expression “unacceptable”. “The KNPD recognised the essential and sensitive nature of service being offered and that, all things considered, the ramp was the best solution in the circumstance.” But the KNPD still maintains that the ramp does not comply with access for all guidelines. “However, in the light of prevailing circumstances KNPD concluded that the existing ramp could be considered a reasonable solution to the problem of access by elderly, mobility impaired persons to the residence,” Camilleri said. Any comments? |
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