Residents only/60-minutes parking

Every Sunday, since April 13 we have been referring to this issue. I thank all those readers who sent in the letters that we featured. On June 22, we featured a letter from Edwin Zaffarese. In my effort to keep this campaign alive, and until whoever is responsible co-operates with us, I will continue writing about this issue. Mr Zaffarese had written:

'I would like to inform you that this parking practice is illegal. In fact, members of my family and I have had tickets for parking in such 60 minutes/residents only' parking spaces in different towns or villages and upon presenting our petition to the Petitions Board these offences have been waived.

'In support of our request we cited to the board a court sentence delivered by Mr Justice Lino Farrugia Sacco on January 31, 2007, in court case citation no. 949/2004 in the names of Maria Victoria and Joseph Borg vs the mayor and executive secretary of the Pietà council.

'This sentence declares that the imposition of the reserved zone for residents is ultra vires of preferential measure, and accepted the request by Maria Victoria and Joseph Borg to have the offence declared null and without effect.

'A copy of this sentence can be obtained from the court's website or from the customer care section of the local councils department.

'However, what amazes me most is the fact that this sentence was delivered over a year ago now and we still have local councils breaking the law. I would presume that both the government and local councils are aware of this sentence and they are still persisting in breaking the law. (Edwin Zaffarese)

Basically, ultra vires means 'beyond one's legal power or authority'. In no uncertain terms is someone insisting on refusing to respect the law. I appeal to whoever is involved and responsible regarding this issue to communicate with us.

Here is a letter about another vehicle owner who parked his car legally and was wrongly charged:

'Once again, I must refer to a 'ticket' I received for parking my car in a street in Ta' Xbiex, which is where I work. I don't need to repeat that this 'persecution' is illegal. My worry is that nobody seems to be taking any steps to stop this nonsense. The local council should explain this continued harrassment of taxpayers. Wardens shouldn't have such power. Nor should they have the right to squander taxpayers' money for illegal practices.

'Why hasn't Ta' Xbiex council been asked how much it cost to install a forest of poles carrying the ridiculous 60-minute notices limiting our right to use the streets, for which we pay? 'May I point out that some years ago, Birkirkara council was prevented from launching a scheme whereby people could have a parking space reserved for them - at a price. The argument was that the streets belong to everybody. Is Ta' Xbiex a separate republic where laws are not enforced?' (Edwin Vella)

In the meantime, I appeal to all readers to continue sending me letters on this issue. With your help we will be able to keep this campaign alive. Giving up is not an option. After all, all we are trying to do is persuade those who are insisting on breaking the law, to respect and abide by it.