Sliema residents' parking zone

In his Talking Point (January 17) Lino Spiteri commented about the proposed residents' parking zone (RPZ) for Sliema town centre.

Mepa's development brief for the Qui-Si-Sana car park development specifies that a RPZ must be in operation immediately prior to the opening of the car park. This is to help solve the long-running parking problems experienced by residents and to ensure that the car park is actually used.

The brief specifies the framework for the preparation of the RPZ. I do not intend to go into details but it sets clear guidelines as to how the scheme should be prepared and introduced.

Sliema local council's concerns about the developer's idea that residents should annually pay for the permits necessary to park in the RPZ are highlighted. The development brief specifically states that there may be such a fee to help fund the ongoing administration of the scheme but this should be nominal.

Subject to the approval of the Malta Transport Authority (ADT), it is for the local council to introduce and run the RPZ for this area.

In this case, the developer has the responsibility for undertaking the necessary studies and consultations and for ensuring that the RPZ is in place in time for the opening of the car park.

The cost of introducing the RPZ and running it for the first three years will be covered by CPPS funds collected and controlled by Mepa. Therefore, there is no requirement for permit charges to be introduced. After this time, it will be for the local council to determine how the recurring costs are funded.

The developer who has been awarded the tender for developing chalet and Qui-Si-Sana does not operate the car park in High Street so there would still be competition between the prices charged for parking.