Off-street parking in Sliema

I refer to Simon Camilleri's response (February 10). I can only reiterate what I said in my previous contribution. I am convinced that there is the need for additional off-street parking in Sliema. I have no doubt that, say, five years down the line, when the various developments have been completed and a resident parking zone for Sliema is fully operational, the need for significant off-street parking for Sliema will be evident for all, including the non-Sliema residents who chose to sign a petition against the construction of a car park. They too will have problems to find parking, problems which will be compounded if additional off-street parking is not provided.

I also reiterate that his interpretation of the development brief is grossly biased and distorted. His quoting from the document only confirms this. I will not bore readers with the nitty-gritty of the quotes but I do encourage people to refer to the said documents to confirm for themselves the myopic extent of Mr Camilleri's interpretations.

He is wrong to claim that the brief justifies a full floor of the development to be raised above the current level of the street, so much so that the proposed development as submitted in the application is below the street level. I reiterate that some parking reduction in parking at the Ferries is required for technical issues related to the upgrading of the traffic road. This will take place irrespective of whether there is off-street parking provision at Qui-Si-Sana or not.

He was blatantly wrong in a previous contribution to The Times when he claims that there is the intention "... to turn our parking problem into a cash cow, milking Sliema residents...". I consider it offensive that Mr Camilleri consistently refuses to believe clear-cut and unequivocal statements made by me, as mayor of Sliema and by the local council, which statements have been confirmed and supported by two government ministers and the Malta Transport Authority. He chooses to disbelief everyone and bases his entire campaign on his narrow interpretation.

The brief refers to any nominal fee as an option to be considered in the RPZ study. This does not exclude the possibility that the conclusion of the study would be that there should be no fee. Nor does it exclude the possibility that a political decision is made, as has been the case, that there will be no charge for parking by residents. How many more times do we need to say this before Mr Camilleri gets the message?

Politicians should listen to all arguments made but cannot allow themselves to be swayed by the vociferous few to the detriment of the silent majority. I reaffirm that it is in the interest of the majority of Slimizi that the Sliema town centre is pedestrianised or at least semi-pedestrianised. This way they can have a positive shopping experience in an environment free of noise and pollution, and within walking distance from their home. It is in the interest of the majority of Slimizi that the resident parking zone is introduced and that concurrently there is increased provision of off-street parking.

What irks me in Mr Camilleri's campaign is that he presents himself as representing Sliema residents. "Sliema residents deserve better treatment", so he claims and so reads the title of his contribution. The truth is that he represents a very small group of residents who live in the apartment blocks overlooking Qui-Si-Sana gardens. I appreciate and understand their concern but this does not mean that I put their concern above the overall interest and well-being of Sliema and all its residents.

I seriously doubt whether residents in the side streets of Tignè peninsula and on the Ferries seafront are against the provision of a car park. My guess is that most Sliema residents support the provision of off-street parking at Qui-Si-Sana, because they understand that this, combined with the resident parking zone, will significantly improve the parking situation. Not more than 20 people turned up when the campaigners took their protest to the doorstep of Castille. The support they received from Sliema residents to their petition was significantly less than they expected so much so that they had to seek the assistance of non-residents to augment their numbers.

If he is so convinced that he represents the majority of the Sliema residents he should have stood for the local council elections and got himself elected to make his case more strongly. He has every right to make his views known but he should stop writing as if he represents the residents of Sliema, or even of Tignè for that matter.