Goose talk

In the article by Reuben Sciberras (Talking Point, What's Good For The Goose, November 30), I think the biggest goose is the author himself.

Mr Sciberras criticises Qui-Si-Sana residents for being moaners and groaners, egocentric and for abusing the media. The writer is very vague as to which car park development he is referring to: there are two being proposed, one under the Chalet/Ghar id-Dud and another under the Qui-Si-Sana gardens.

As residents, we are expressing our emotions and opinions on a matter that will affect us all negatively should it go to plan. We also want to demonstrate the arrogance of certain people who hail from Sliema, have been voted into power by us and go against us for other interests.

I would like to pose a question to Mr Sciberras. Must we all become like hawks over our localities and rush off to consult our crystal balls or use our sixth sense whenever we see something fishy going on in the area?

If so, Mr Sciberras would have to stomach many more letters of other frustrated citizens who have had it up to their noses with the arrogance of the state and of developers.

The Sliema local council had encouraged people to take the longer route to avoid excess congestion in Bisazza Street/Lower Tower Road where during various times of the day a lot of loading and unloading takes place leading to slow moving traffic which then accumulates along Tower Road.

This problem is also caused by the junction at the end of Bisazza Street where traffic coming from the direction of the ferries to the road near the Magic Kiosk often fails to respect the stop sign.

There is no denying the fact that there is a major parking problem in Sliema. However, had Mr Sciberras done his research properly he would have found out that the MIDI, Town Square and the newly proposed Fort Cambridge projects all include proposals for large underground car parks.

Qui-Si-Sana residents are not against these car parks but against the other two being proposed that I mentioned earlier because they threaten to destroy the coastal area around Qui-Si-Sana and also disrupt the peace.

A residents parking zone will not disrupt anything if done correctly and will generate more parking spaces as it will give visitors to the area a time limit during peak hours to carry out all their needs in the area.

I suggest we adopt a clock system during peak hours say from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m., as they have in Gozo. To be fair workers in my idea would have the same rights as residents (no restricted hours) as they should not be penalised for working in the area.

Mr Sciberras wrote that using pollution as an argument is barren talk. If the proposed car parks go ahead we will once again have to put up with more cranes, noise and more dust. I together with my family and neighbours have put up with, over three summers, being rudely awakened at 5.30 a.m. by the sound of construction machinery.

Mr Sciberras states that he longs for the day when he can enjoy a proper shopping experience in Sliema. I suggest he comes to Sliema during the week in the evening where it is possible to enjoy some shopping in peace and quiet, also for the record during the winter the streets are pretty much deserted and there is hardly any traffic.

I do hope that the next time Mr Sciberras puts pen to paper it will not be a load of goose cackle.