Pedestrianisation in Sliema

Much is being said and written about Qui-Si-Sana. Some residents are arguing against the diversion of traffic from Tower Road and Bisazza Street to the peripheral road around the Tignè peninsula.

The area of Bisazza Street and Tower Road is an important commercial centre to the extent that some people claim it has overtaken Valletta as Malta's main shopping area. The two streets are strategically located as they connect two important hubs of activity: the Ferries on one side and Ghar id-Dud on the other. It is therefore no surprise that these two streets are used daily by hundreds of people.

In spite of the area's popularity, the environment provided for pedestrians is abysmal. For most stretches of these two roads, the pavements are too narrow and, therefore, crowding is frequent. Pedestrians are subject to noise and air pollution from passing cars. As vehicles proceed uphill, car pollution is more acute at the lower end of Tower Road. Apart from the poor environment, this also raises health issues with people, including young children, being exposed to high levels of car and bus exhaust in a somewhat constrained space.

The diversion of traffic to the peripheral road of the Tignè peninsula is therefore of fundamental importance for the future of this important commercial centre. Years ago, the local council had already foreseen the importance of reducing traffic through the commercial centre.

It had therefore put up signs at Ghar id-Dud to encourage motorists to use the Tignè periphery road, rather than Bisazza Street and Tower Road. This was done with the full support and encouragement of Alternattiva Demokratika. What is AD's stand today with regard to the diversion of traffic to the Tignè peripheral road? I ask this because the people of Sliema have been receiving somewhat confused messages as to where AD stands on this issue.

The upgrading of the Sliema town centre by some form of semi-pedestrianisation will benefit thousands of Sliema residents who often shop in the Sliema town centre. It also benefits many thousands more who visit Sliema centre from other localities. It will provide an environment where people can truly have a proper shopping experience. In my view, it will also benefit the commercial community because more people are likely to come to Bisazza Street and Tower Road for shopping and to engage in leisure activities.

Within this context, I fail to understand how Anthony Camilleri (December 10) states that the diversion of traffic to the Tignè peripheral road is "ill-conceived". If only there were many more of these "ill-conceived" ideas to bring about much-needed improvements to our town centres! Clearly, Mr Camilleri's Nimby approach is impeding him from getting a proper view of the overall picture.

Better still, according to Simon Camilleri (December 2), "the pedestrianisation of Tower Road and Bisazza Street will downgrade the value of the shops relegating these to back street premises". If Mr Camilleri is so convinced of this, may I suggest he approaches Valletta shop owners with a proposal to allow traffic through Republic Street. One does not have to be a genius to imagine what they will tell him! Republic Street pedestrianisation has been a resounding success for more that three decades. Anyone suggesting that pedestrianisation will downgrade Sliema centre is, therefore, grossly misinformed and misguided.

It is also worth noting that the new Midi development will provide for a shopping area which is fully pedestrianised. Unless the Bisazza Street/Tower Road is upgraded, the retail activity of the area will lose out.

The local council is eager to introduce residents parking zones in Sliema to alleviate the problems which residents have to find when parking their cars. One should understand however that RPZs will restrict access to Sliema for non-residents. To compensate for this reduced access there needs to be the provision of off-street parking - hence the government's proposal for an underground car park in Qui-Si-Sana.

Some residents are objecting to the proposed Qui-Si-Sana car park and arguing that outsiders should use public transport instead. Although improved public transport is part of the solution, it can never be the whole solution. Restricting parking availability for non-residents, without provision of off-street parking will have a negative impact on economic activity in Sliema which, in turn, may have a long-term negative impact on residents.

Mr Bonello Dupuis is mayor of Sliema.