The parking problem

During the past few years much has been written and said about the parking problem in Victoria, but unfortunately it seems we are still a long way off from solving this problem which is causing such hardship.

On the one hand, the businesses operating from Victoria centre are complaining about the loss of business due to lack of parking spaces. Even the Gozo Business Chamber recently issued a press release highlighting this problem. On the other hand, people are complaining about wasting time looking for a space to run errands in Victoria. Maltese visitors also frequently complain in the newspapers about the fines issued to them by the police and wardens.

Considering that there are all the government departments and agencies, four bank branches, a hospital, numerous shops, five schools, a polyclinic, a post office, the Gozo Curia and five churches, the Maltacom and Water Services offices, and a large number of residences which do not have garages, all in an area of about a square mile, then it is much easier to understand this problem.

The current available parking space is not sufficient for these people's needs. We have been hearing about the Government's plans for a communal centre in Victoria which would bring with it better and bigger parking facilities. But when is this going to happen?

It has been years since we heard about it but up till now we haven't even seen a proposed plan, let alone the start of the project. Most people are frustrated that when it comes to Gozo's needs, either the government does not have the funds required or resources available or Gozitans are treated like second-class citizens because the authorities do not have even the time to listen to their pro-blems and complaints and act on them.

To be fair, it has been said that some previously reserved parking spaces have been taken away to make way for more parking spaces. However one feels that there is still more to be done to alleviate this problem. The authorities should consider making better use of the space around the citadel, without getting involved in any polemic.

It is also true that nowadays the Girls' Junior Lyceum recreational space area is being used for parking on Saturdays. However the fact that this was passed on to a private company to operate on a commercial basis did not gone down very well with the Gozitans.

The grounds near the Sixth Form classrooms should also be made available for parking on Saturdays and public holidays, if possible at a nominal cost or preferably for free. Adequate signage indicating available parking spaces in the heart of Victoria should be put up without further delay.

The stand taken by the wardens patrolling the main streets of Victoria is definitely not helping to solving this problem.

It is high time that the promises made are transformed into deeds.