Plans for more pedestrian zones in Valletta

The government is to review the capital's traffic system with a view to introducing more pedestrian zones, Urban Development Minister Jesmond Mugliett said yesterday.

Over 56,000 vehicles are licensed to enter Valletta and he said this situation was no longer sustainable.

Mr Mugliett said that up till last month a total of 56,463 vehicles were licensed to enter the city and something had to be done to introduce new measures which reflected the current situation and respected Valletta's heritage.

He was speaking at the launch of a new scheme which provides shoppers in Valletta with a ticket to park free at the MCP car park in Floriana.

The car park will be providing shops in Valletta with subsidised tickets which they can, in turn, pass on to their clients who would have spent a certain amount.

The shops are not obliged to buy the tickets but they are being encouraged to do so in an attempt to attract more business to the capital and make it easier for those whose car is not licensed to enter the city.

It is also at the shop owners' discretion to establish how much a client has to spend to get a free ticket.

The free ticket, which can be used only once, expires after one year and whoever uses it can utilise the car park for up to 24 hours.

The scheme is being jointly run by the Republic Street Business Community Association, the Valletta Alive Scheme, the MCP Co. Limited and the ministry.

Mr Mugliett praised the initiative and hoped it would serve to reduce the number of cars entering Valletta at one go.

At the moment the MCP car park reaches 80 per cent of its capacity during the week. In all, over 1,200 vehicles can fit in the multi-storey car park.

Parliamentary Secretary Edwin Vassallo has appealed to shop owners to recognise this move as an investment in their business.