First signs of new traffic scheme sprout in Valletta

There was some confusion in Valletta yesterday morning as a couple of streets were closed off for a short while in preparation for the vehicle entry payment scheme kicking off on May 1.

But the bollards, closing off St Ursula Street and the upper part of Merchants Street, were soon removed, allowing normality to return - for the time being.

The owner of a shop in Merchants Street said motorists were stunned to find the upper part of the road closed, and had to change course. In fact, those who attempted to leave the capital city through Merchants Street were forced to carry on driving through Melita Street, crossing Republic Street and making their way out via Old Bakery Street.

Sources told The Times a child was almost run over by a car as it crossed Republic Street, triggering an argument between the mother and the driver.

Valletta residents were irked at not having been informed ahead that streets would be closed. Many vented their anger on the local council, which, however, said it had only been informed about the temporary closure the day before.

Malta Transport Authority official Konrad Pulè explained that yesterday morning's exercise entailed checking exactly where the bollards would be placed. He said the diversions would be put in place permanently within a few days, after fine-tuning the new signage system.

He said it was possible the pedestrianisation of a number of Valletta streets, due to start next week, would be postponed by a few days to give the authorities time to inform the public.

Valletta mayor Paul Borg Olivier said the city's unmonitored exits would be closed off before the scheme came into force to allow time for the system - which involves cameras monitoring the rest of the entry and exit points - to be tested.

He pointed out that the coming weeks would entail a phase of transition. He compared the change to breaking in a new pair of shoes - they might be uncomfortable at first, but would later be better than the old pair . Dr Borg Olivier stressed that the system was primarily intended to make life easier for Valletta residents and to give the city a breath of fresh air.

A number of parking spots would be reserved for residents throughout the day and about 800 near the Manoel Theatre, the Mediterranean Conference Centre and Hastings Gardens would be reserved for residents between 7 p.m. and 8 a.m.

The needs of the business community were being kept in mind - vehicles loading or unloading merchandise could enter for free in the afternoon. However, the city had always adjusted to commercial needs and it was now high time to have a strategy that prioritised the city's own needs.

As from May 1, the V licence, which is now mandatory to enter Valletta, will be replaced by a scheme under which motorists will pay according to the duration they spend in the city.

Cameras have already been installed at 11 entry and exit points around Valletta. The system uses number plate recognition to record the registration number of vehicles. Tailor-made software works out the bill for each vehicle.

According to details published in Tuesday's Government Gazette, the ADT can withhold from renewing the road licence of a vehicle with a pending bill.

Emergency vehicles, including ambulances, public transport vehicles, electric cars, waste collection and street-cleaning vehicles and motorbikes are among those exempt from the payment scheme.

Official vehicles used by the President, the Prime Minister, the Archbishop and the Gozo Bishop, the Chief Justice, Cabinet ministers, parliamentary secretaries, the Opposition Leader and foreign dignitaries and accompanying delegations in registered vehicles will also be exempt.

Asked whether the reserved parking spaces for ministries and government departments would be retained, Mr Pulè said a decision would be published shortly.

A board to administer the regulations will also be set up, according to the legal notice.