Adrian Muscat Inglott
Residents only/60-minutes parking
'Why is it that practically all parking spaces in Iklin have been set with time limits for non-residents? Everyone knows that Iklin cannot be compared to Valletta or Sliema when it comes to parking. True, a few streets may be subject to a surplus of parking, but this is only a small percentage of the locality. Surely, there was no need to set time limits for non-residents, who would have to park their cars in nearby localities (Birkirkara and Lija). Don't we all pay the same taxes? What would happen if all localities were to follow suit? Where would we park then? This atrocity should be stopped before it gets out of hand.' (George Mangion)
Indeed, a valid argument. Here follows another letter:
'On reading your article last week, I thought you may want to read a letter I wrote to The Times last year and sent last May. This is what I had said: 'It is certainly ridiculous and unfair not to be able to park for even a limited time in Valletta, while most green (residents only) spaces, are vacant and many residents' vehicles occupy other spaces.I used to think discrimination was not permitted in the European Union. I dreamt I left my town in my car, which was parked virtually outside my door. It's so great these days, I never struggle to find parking where I live.
'I drove to Valletta, but unlike home, there was no place to park, since I am a non-resident. Better luck next time, I thought, and drove off to visit my friend in Vittoriosa.
'But I couldn't park there either, because the local council decided to allow only residents to park. So I thought I'd unwind over a drink by the sea in St Paul's Bay, but having driven there, I had no place where to leave my car either, because the available bays were only to be occupied by St Paul's Bay residents.
'I thought I'd ask a couple of friends to watch the match with me at home, but guess what: my friends couldn't visit because parking in Sliema is reserved for residents only. Suddenly, I woke up to find that I was just dreaming. Or, could I see the future? What will happen when every locality reserves its parking spaces for residents? We would use our cars only to go on non-stop rides around Malta and back home.
'Or we could dispose of our cars and use our enviable public transport instead. Just imagine how clean Malta would be free of exhaust emissions. I can't wait. Or am I dreaming again?' (Alfred Vassallo)
While thanking Mr Mangion and Mr Vassallo, I invite readers to send in their thoughts on this issue.
We will feaure a letter by a reader who doesn't agree with all this on Sunday.
Popular Stories
In Discussion
2 Comments
Post comment
Please sign in or create your Account to post comments.
cynthia busuttil
May 2nd 2008, 11:23
Dear Mr Muscat Inglott,
I thank you for raising the issue of parking.
I believe that it is unacceptable for local councils to impose a law on non-residents that restricts or forbids them from parking in the streets when their locality does not offer the services of alternative parking facilities.
Valletta and Sliema both have an intensive commercial life, and both offer such a service, some of which are free or at minimal cost, with the difference that Sliema Council has not yet answered their residents' call for a solution to their daily crisis.
A non-resident should not find it hard to understand the need of residents to park within a reasonable distance from their own home. It is hardly necessary to amplify on this point. Perhaps it is time to introduce the practice of parking vouchers, which employers can provide to their staff, after reaching an agreement with carpark operators in the area. This would keep hundreds of private cars off residential streets.
An idea that has been aired is that when a large complement of staff is involved, private transport can be organised, but it seems that this did not suit some employees who might want their own car later. It never occurred to them that they could drive to a spacious place such as Manoel Island in the case of Sliema and get picked up from there.
My solution to alleviate the need for more parking space in Sliema is to set our eyes of Gnien Indipendenza. This beautiful garden does not attract near as many people as predicted, probably because it is 'below' ground. Visitors don't want to be cut off. Therefore, raise the garden to street level, and create a massive carpark below. This would serve both Sliema and St Julians by improving public transport to it, or creating a park-and-ride system.
Then introduce residential parking within the town in question. No non-residential carparks exist in this area to my knowledge although it is a location loved and visited by thousands.(Cynthia Busuttil, Sliema)
Mark Fenech
Apr 27th 2008, 15:49
Well I found out that the best is to avoid these places completely and purchase my goods either over the Internet or where the stores have their own parking. Luckily I do not need to go to homes of people who have this sort of parking scheme on their street.