Valletta: Increasing accessibility

The Malta Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise acknowledges the cultural and historical importance of the capital city and applauds every effort made to improve and enhance its environment. It recognises the city as the centre for government and business, tourism and shopping as well as for residents. Parking and over-congestion are serious problems for other towns in Malta, not just Valletta.

Last year, following the publication of the current plans, the Chamber issued a questionnaire to its members based in Valletta and Floriana to establish what effect the system proposed would have on their businesses and 87 per cent had felt the system would have a negative effect on their business.

From the outset it is expected that the Park and Ride facility will be set up with good systems in place to deal with a large number of vehicles and passengers at peak hours. The business community has already expressed its concern that this measure will extend the travelling time to and from Valletta and cause problems in staff punctuality and flexibility - and only assurances of a reliable and efficient service can allay these concerns.

The rates for parking in Valletta have increased from those quoted in the original document. Nonetheless, the Chamber feels that the price of Lm2.80 is not adequate to deter higher earners and those who need to travel in and out of Valletta on business from using their cars to enter the capital. Time is money and waiting for public transport or coming and going from Blata l-Bajda is far more costly than parking in Valletta.

When one considers that the number of parking places in Valletta will be radically reduced from those currently available, that some people will have no choice but to pay the daily rate and that the Park and Ride facility does not provide adequate space, it is not expected that the measures will make for a significant improvement to the status quo.

Chamber members have voiced their concerns that their customers will find alternatives to Valletta-based companies as the parking restrictions will cause inconvenience, additional expense and delays. The reduced parking spaces will make it impossible for clients and/or staff entering or leaving Valletta on company business to find a parking space in the 30 minutes allowed without charge. Such a situation could lead to several companies moving out of the capital at great expense.

Chamber members need to know what concessions the government is prepared to give those companies with personnel requiring to go in and out of Valletta on a regular basis throughout the day.

The repercussions go further. The Chamber has been contacted by a real estate agency regarding the shortage of properties available for commercial use. A number of Valletta companies are planning to relocate outside the city, rather then deal with the consequences of the new measures. Real estate agencies regularly report on the shortage of commercial properties available and have asked the Chamber to lobby with Mepa to issue permits for commercial properties and "change of use" in order to provide premises for such companies.

Valletta businesses and their staff are the very lifeblood of the capital. One only has to visit restaurants and cafes during the lunch hour to notice that these are frequented by people who work in Valletta. Several Chamber members feel the measures in question may dampen even further the efforts to make Valletta alive during all hours.

Few options exist to resolve the over-congestion traffic causes. Part of a solution could be providing transport for workers in the public sector and creating incentive schemes for car pooling but, first and foremost, improvements need to be made to public transport. If an efficient public transport service is in place, the travelling public will be happy to sit on a bus and read the newspaper on their way to work. Once this is in place and its efficiency and practicality proved, then and only then can other systems be introduced. Anything else will just be putting the cart before the horse.

Ms Calleja is membership services executive at the Malta Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise.