Victoria's parking scheme revised

The Victoria controlled parking scheme, introduced by an ad hoc steering committee last November, has been amply revised.

Mayor Paul M. Cassar said his council has welcomed the changes. He said: "Victoria will now have one restricted zone - in central Victoria - where the majority of shops, banks and government offices are situated. This area is classified as Zone A and has most parking problems.

In summer, restrictions in Zone A will be in force in the mornings and not on Sundays and public holidays."

He continued: "A considerable number of Fontana residents living in Kappillan Hili, Fountain and Sacred Heart Streets, previously in Zone A, have been deprived of this concession."

Mr Cassar feels that the revisions will in the long run prove beneficial for residents, the commercial sector and those visiting Victoria.

"Parking time in Zone A has also been extended from one hour to 90 minutes and motorists living in the western part of Gozo are now being provided with ample parking space because a handful of areas have been excluded from the scheme.

"But I still feel the need to stress the inclusion of a very important notice on all parking signs stipulating the use of the clock disc and its availability. This would automatically help prevent Maltese and foreign visitors from having to pay the Lm10 fine. An added bonus of the revised scheme would be the approval of the council's pending application to use the Citadel ditch as a temporary car park.

But Victoria councillor Spiru Formosa feels that although the parking scheme has been improved there still remain some changes which ought to be implemented.

He says that the changes should have been complemented with additional parking space, adding: "The scheme will undoubtedly be an inconvenience to residents, visitors and the commercial sector."

He feels that nothing can justify the fact that Fontana residents may park their vehicles in Victoria with no restrictions while several Victoria residents have no choice but to park under the same conditions as any other person.