Reserved parking bays

In reply to my letter on the high number of reserved parking bays, John Grima (May 2) asked me to give a definition of a disabled person. He then went on to state that to be disabled one does not need to be in a wheelchair - suffice it to say that one can be classified as disabled if one suffers from emphysema. He also gave us an explanation of what this is and added that anybody with severe heart attacks or who may need a hip or knee replacement and might find difficulty in walking long distances is also classified as disabled.

But then I never even implied that only people in wheelchairs may be classified as disabled because I never as much as suggested any other forms of disability. Furthermore, Mr Grima does not inform us whether these persons are driven or whether they drive themselves. If the latter, could these be a danger to themselves and others?

Here in Malta, drivers over the age of 70 and in good health have to submit a form filled in by a GP every two years as to their state of health to be allowed to keep their driving licence.

He finds it strange that in Malta disabled bays are reserved for specified persons while in the UK any disabled badge holder can use any bay that has been designated for the disabled.

What difference is this going to make in our situation?

Where did he find reserved bays reserved for specified persons? Here you get "reserved" painted in the bay and sometimes a "reserved for persons with a disability". The fact that notices indicate a wheelchair does not mean that surely.

He completely leaves out all the points I made, some 10 of them, including the fact that I quoted the worry of the chairman of the National Commission Persons with Disability at the increase of 824 new blue parking cards, an increase of 75 per cent.

Mr Grima, who lives in the UK, does not tell us how often he comes to Malta. If he does, does he drive a car? He does not say a word about the big problems facing drivers because of lack of parking places.

Neither does he mention anything about the exaggerated number of parking restrictions for a variety of reasons. We have been increasing the number of vehicles on the roads in this microscopic country by thousands every year, yet it is only fairly recently that something is being done to provide parking.

Mr Grima does not tell us that some time ago the mayor of London slapped a congestion tax on drivers entering the City centre. Just a few weeks ago, Sky News informed us that there is going to be some sort of incentive for drivers with passengers and not alone, using certain highways because of congestion. This is Great (in reference to size only) Britain. What do we do? Use the sea?