Valletta businessmen complained of having been negatively affected by the Valletta parking scheme, although close to 70,000 vehicles entered the capital city last month.

During a meeting yesterday morning, a businessman said Valletta was usually full of families on Saturday mornings, but this had changed since the Controlled Vehicular Access was introduced.

Another asked why motorists had to pay for parking in Valletta until 6 p.m. even during summer, when the capital city is devoid of cars in the afternoons.

GRTU general director Vince Farrugia said businesses received a big blow when parking areas were blocked because of activities in Valletta.

Businesses are being urged by the Chamber for Small and Medium Enterprises (GRTU) to take initiatives to attract more people to Valletta, including offering them free parking.

In fact, some 16,000 vouchers for an hour-free parking will be distributed to around 400 shops as an incentive. Businessmen who decide to continue offering customers free parking vouchers, will be able to buy them at a discount from the GRTU.

Around 10,500 vehicles entered Valletta daily during weekdays and an average of 7,800 on weekends last month. Vehicles spent an average of two hours in Valletta, down from the 3.5-hour average.

A concern is that Valletta residents - who are able to park in the capital city for free - are using other spaces, while leaving those earmarked especially for them, vacant. Malta Transport Authority chief executive Gianfranco Selvaggi said such a problem could possibly be tackled by giving residents colour-coded road licences.

Roads Minister Jesmond Mugliett said it was imperative to promote the new scheme not to discourage people from entering Valletta. Be believes the 35c-per-hour fee was cheaper than parking in many other private car parks. Mr Farrugia said motorists were under the impression that parking in Valletta cost much more.

The minister promised to look at the system proactively with the intention of refining it, but said it was still too early to be talking about changing charging times or fee.