Parking restrictions in 19 towns and villages

Martin Spiteri

Sep 9th 2009, 00:25

I wish we had that in Birkirkara
we residents are not priviledged with parking schemes like this one. If you come to Main street we hardly have parking bays because our beloved mayor believes that it would make the street look ugly, yet he did not stop short to do illegal double white lines along brared street and certain parking bays in yellow for those whom he thought deserved it more. Mind you all these are not approved by ADT so here we go.

jcmicallef

Jul 31st 2009, 09:23

Dear all,

I think that despite all the complaints - including my own - it would be a good idea to remember that we live in a very congested country and that the problems encountered are the same the (civilised) world over.

Take a look at this link....
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/21/20090731/tuk-commuters-facing-185-parking-tax-6323e80.html

Nottingham City Coucil is considering a tax for business parking. They have done some studies, etc...but in the end, something had to be done.

The true reason to complain in Malta is that we do not have a decent, efficient public transport system as an alternative.

Martin Borg

Jul 30th 2009, 22:35

Article 45 of our Constitution SAYS, “no law shall make any provision that is discriminatory” and “no person shall be treated in a discriminatory manner by any person acting by virtue of any written law or in the performance of any public office”.

Article 45 also lays down the meaning of discrimination: “the expression ‘discriminatory’ means affording different treatment to different persons attributable wholly or mainly to their respective descriptions by race, PLACE OF ORIGIN (my emphasis), political opinions, colour...”

In the same Constitutional article, it is provided that such discrimination is not banned so far as it affects persons who are not citizens of Malta. Therefore, “place of origin” clearly signifies a Maltese place of origin.

This Constitutional article is quite clear and means that there CAN be time limitations in parking (eg only for 90 minutes, OR from 7pm to 9am), space limitations (eg no parking but waiting permitted), but there CANNOT be a right to park according to one’s place of origin (ie where the car owner lives).

The Constitution is above any other law. Local Councils are very clearly abusing car owners’ rights to have access without any discrimination to public roads and public parking spaces.

J Fenech

Jul 25th 2009, 19:03

THe residents of Sliema(or any other town for that matter) are not privileged beings. White boxes belong to EVERYONE not to those outside whose house they're painted. While I am 100% in agreement that some kinds of parking restrictions are long overdue, they should apply to everybody and not leave some privileged groups out. We've been taking the sacrosanct right to park, where and for how long we want for granted for far too long, and deep down we all admit that this situation can't go on forever. After all why complain? We are the only European country where parking is free of charge practically all over the place

J. Abela

Jul 21st 2009, 01:07

@jcmicallef.
Thanks for the links.

If you have a look at the first posted link, one could find an interesting paragraph:

"How much will it cost me?
The permit costs £50 and will be valid for a year. This pays for administration, the signs and lines involved and legal work ."

I would not be surprised if ADT shall follow the same path!.

Edmund Azzopardi

Jul 20th 2009, 13:18

If I ( and many others in other towns and villages - as Sliema is not the only place and not the first one either!!!!!!!) do not have the right to park where we live, why has this right been given to us all then? And in certain towns and villages it has been in force for years now. Residents then are entitled to this right. Cannot argue with this one.
And mind you, Sliema residents do not even have 50% of the parking for themselves. If one works it out it comes roughly around 37%. as streets mentioned are only restricted on one side ( as far as I have been informed) and many other streets have remained totally free. Aren't the residents, any residents wherever they may live for that matter, entitled to this amount of parking space? I do not think that good thinking people can argue with this one either. So what is this fuss all about?
I think I have made my good points and that is it now. Because you can take the horse to the water but you cannot make it drink!!

Eunice Borg Saydon

Jul 20th 2009, 13:11

There is such a BIG problem with parking in Sliema, so why were we denied to build a garage, semi basement, with our house. Also we are renovating one of those many old houses that was empty. Instead of going to buy a new plot we chose to fix an old one, since there are so many empty houses. A reason for the denial is that its in a set of historical houses, where there not all the same, 2 doors up theres a shop, 3 doors down theres a shop & garages, the coloumns arent all the same, we were going to put the columns back but slightly shorter, and across the road...no comment. UNBELIEVABLE!!

Joe Fenech

Jul 19th 2009, 17:53

Why this fuss about Sliema, Mr Mayor? You and your previous colleagues have raped it and strangled it! What do you want us to come and see - your concrete jungle, ugly 'penthouses' (which they're not!),rubbish and people praying on the Front?!! IT'S FINISHED!!!!

C.Busuttil

Jul 19th 2009, 04:31

A problem in Sliema for parking spaces is created by some selfish sliema residents, I know some that have a garage but don't make use of it. Another problem this scheme will create is for those who visit or take care of their elderly parents. I have a couple of friends that have moved from Sliema but have to visit their elderly parents daily.
Those who are being urged to make use of public transport should be aware that taking a bus from Sliema is like winning a lottery. first of all because no direct bus exists, secondly because the service leaves much to be desired. It may take about 30 minutes in the morning to board a bus. Since Sliema residents have to share their bus routes with St. Julians, Swieqi and Pembroke by the time the bus arrives in Sliema its already full up.

Besides Mr. Dimech should take notice if he starts in this arrogant manner the future for Sliema is not that good. The MEP election did not teach anything !!!!!!!!!!!!

Ahjar tnehhi dawn il-cranes mit-toroq taghna Sur Sindku !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! u forsi ssalva dak li baqa minn Tas-Sliema

C. Aquilina

Jul 18th 2009, 13:00

I understand that restricted parking is used to help residents find parking spaces close to their homes. However, what I don't understand is why is there restricted parking in an area where all homes in the area have a garage and drive-in?

Rather than using restricted parking, I think that a better solution would be creating more underground parking (which is not too expensive) and better public transport. I'm sure more people would be willing to use public transport if it were more efficient, especially in certain locations.

Joe Fenech

Jul 17th 2009, 23:46

Are these towns and villages going to offer cheap underground car parks as an alternative?

vella

Jul 17th 2009, 19:32

instead of taking up parking space it think it would be a better idea if MEPA constrains all contractors to have enough parking space in the block of flats itself... sort of a car park uderground...

vella

Jul 17th 2009, 19:27

This is just an indirect and hidden tax...this will absolutely create problems rather than solve them!! parking in Sliema was already very difficult... let alone now.. I find it unfair that residents are privileged to those who are non residents.. so lets say there are empty parking spaces reserved for residents and the parking spaces availble for non residents are all taken up...what should you do??!! its total nonsense!!

Joseph Borg

Jul 17th 2009, 16:11

This country and this administration is finished.

Gonzi, this wont solve your deficit.

A. Farrugia

Jul 16th 2009, 13:16

@ Edmund Azzopardi
Let's not start claiming rights left, right (excuse the pun) and centre. You pay road tax like every other driver. You have the 'right' to park anywhere as long as it doesn't break the law, but you do not have EXCLUSIVE right to that, irrespective where you live. The parking bay infront of your house, and all parking bays in Malta for that matter, are PUBLIC property. Unless it's a parking bay infront of a garage, than no - you do not have an EXCLUSIVE right to park infront of your residence / close.

-----

If we're to discuss rights, than this is a very discriminatory right afforded to a FEW individuals, and restricting many. What will happen when sales start dwindling, and the Sliema business community feel the pinch? Please note late arrivals at work will also exacerbate this problem, (reduce productivity / opening hours). Wake up - this scheme will do more bad than good, unless effective solutions are introduced in parallel, like park & ride schemes and more efficient, reliable and clean public transport. The present situations beggars belief.

Finally, remember Sliema belongs to all Maltese, not just residents. Just like ANY other village.

marika mifsud

Jul 16th 2009, 12:53

Maybe I'm mistaken' but don't the new regulations say non residents can park for two hours in the restricted areas ? This is enough for shopping or a meal or a funeral.
What people don't seem to understand that even during the day it's practically impossible to find a parking spot in Sliema. I have an elderly mother and I used to take her down to the Ferries for a coffee. However, nowadays it's impossible to find a spot to park anywhere in the vicinity. On our return i don't find anywhere to park near her house to help her in and neither do i find anywhere to park within walking distance of my house. I've solved the problem at the Ferries by parking in the High Street Parking (and paying obviously) . As regards parking near by home - even garages charging eur 2 a day for a space can't be found. Remember Sliema has an elderly population. Many don't go go work and have ended up prisoners in their homes because of the parking problem.
It's a pity there isn't a Park and Ride as it would solve so many problems.

louis Zammit

Jul 16th 2009, 10:44

i cant understand that people are making a fuss for people that work in sliema and they cant find a parking place.......Maybe its about time they take a bus........i think Sliema has the best bus transport in malta..oki i do agree that people coming from certain areas they have to take 2 busses and that might be an HOUR travelling by bus which one would do in 20 minutes by car.....and here the GOVERMENT has to make another park and ride for SLIEMA. maybe one whould use pembroke area.........sliema has a big problem for RESIDENTS and i do agree that first ,one has to solve the problem for reidents...and than for all the shoppers...and the working comunity...i lived for a year in sliema and it was a night mare to find a parking place even at night........

Kenneth Cassar

Jul 16th 2009, 07:46

@ Edmund Azzopardi:

"I have the right to park where I live, as YOU HAVE THE RIGHT PARK WHERE YOU LIVE !"

Correction: You have the right to park where you live (residential parking) and where I live (free parking for all), while I do not have the right to park where you live, and only have the right to park where I live if someone like you does not take that space.

I M Dingli

Jul 15th 2009, 21:17

Edmund Azzopardi

You already have the right to park where you live, the only difference is that it takes you longer to do so. The scenario I gave you illustrates that every locality has got its problems.

In your case it's parking in our case it's pollution (one of the many but let us keep things streamlined). Your solution is to enforce resident parking, mine is to eliminate your electricity supply in order to reduce demand, thus reducing pollution.

Adrian Sargent

Jul 15th 2009, 18:10

It would be a good idea if there is good public transport system, public garages or parking meters, like this there is no choice but to stay home. Way to limit the already dwindling high street shopper! :)

Robert Shaw

Jul 15th 2009, 17:30

I agree that there is a parking problem in Sliema. It is further aggravated during the summer months since the Strand, starting from Sliema towards Gzira, has restrictive parking times due to the coaches, therefore whoever works in this area ends up parking in the side roads so as to avoid playing around with his/her car when their time is up. With this new scheme, are'nt we just going to aggravate this problem even further? Do we always have to solve one problem only to create another? Don't we pay our road tax contributions also? The council might be solving the residents' headaches, but it's just shifting it onto other tax paying citizens! Or is the Sliema Local Council going to allocate a parking area for us non Slimiz, tax paying workers, maybe a park & ride system similar to Valletta? Or is there an hidden agenda, and if there is, what is it? Was there not an agreement with the GRTU allocating fifty% parking to residents and the other half to visitors? Has this been scrapped? Answers please.
Robert Shaw

R Baldacchino

Jul 15th 2009, 16:17

My parents live in Sliema and I normally visit them on Sundays. Does this mean that I have to limit my stay at my parents' house to 2 hours even on Sunday when parking is not a problem as the shops are closed? I am sure that several other people are in a similar situation and this will cause unecessary discomfort, to say the least, which is unjust.

jcmicallef

Jul 15th 2009, 15:17

Interesting to see how these work abroad, in the UK particularly (where drivers are somewhat more disciplined...)

Have a look at these...is this what we are 'aiming' for? I wonder.

http://www.cornwall.gov.uk/default.aspx?page=7900

http://www.newcastle.gov.uk/core.nsf/a/residentsparkingschemes?opendocument

http://www.tmbc.gov.uk/cgi-bin/buildpage.pl?mysql=383

Edmund Azzopardi

Jul 15th 2009, 11:10

I.M. Dingli
I have the right to park where I live, as YOU HAVE THE RIGHT PARK WHERE YOU LIVE !
U x'ghandu x'jassam dak li qed tghid int !!!!

Noel Vella

Jul 14th 2009, 23:13

These parking restrictions are entirely discriminatory. I lived in Sliema for 30 years, my parents live in Sliema and now the Local Council is telling me you're not welcome here any more. My parents are elderly and they do not have a car. So this scheme will discriminate against them because their children will have to rush to move their car. I think the real aim behind this is to give car parks more space to make money. What happens if I have a funeral?(all my relatives live in Sliema). I'm sorry to say "kulhadd jigbed lejn xawwatu" All I can do is to keep away from my native town and leave it for tal-Pepe who always believed they own the place. Let me give you a better suggestion; how about having separate benches for residents and non residents at Ghar id-Dud? Don't tell me to use buses. They are always full. I tried them for a long time and I was always late. Finally I would like to remind the mayor that although I do not live in Sliema my parents and relatives still live there and have a vote.

A. Borg

Jul 14th 2009, 19:02

ADT,what about the south? Not one of the 19 towns and villages is from the southern area. We are the real imigrants in this island! We have parking problems too. Do you know a street called Zabbar Road in Fgura? Or a road called Triq il-Bajja in M'Scala? Or another one named Cospicua Road in Paola? Residents in those areas have problems too but unfortunately they happen to reside in the south!

I M Dingli

Jul 14th 2009, 18:38

@ E Azzopardi

Prosit kemm tirraguna, mela issa peress li l'Marsa hemm power station li qed idahhan u thammeg kullimkien, naqbdu u nzommu l'eletriku ghalina u naqtaw is-supply tieghek ghax inti mhux qed tbati bl'ashma jew affarijiet ohra.

Mela trid tgawdi il-gid kollu li hemm ta Sliema u l'unika salib li ghandhekk ma tridx terfaw iktar.

Prosit!!!

T. Borg

Jul 14th 2009, 18:21

This scheme is pathetic to say the least! Our family Sunday outing in Winter used to be hearing mass in Sliema then after walking along the Promenade going to a restaruant to eat and then walk back!! This is certainly not possible in 2 hours so we will probably have to do away with eating from there, or else going to a different place altogether!!

Kenneth Cassar

Jul 14th 2009, 18:16

@ Anthony Briffa:

The point is that I will choose to shop and dine elsewhere, where I do not have to pay a fine just for parking. If the shop owners do not like it, they should make their voice heard through the GRTU. But wait...no GRTU protest planned, is there?

I will only continue to park as normal if someone is willing to pay the fines for me. I will not risk not having my car license renewed because of someone's bright idea not to pay the fines.

Be realistic.

N. Aquilina

Jul 14th 2009, 17:51

What about Gzira residents? Aren't we going to get parking spaces for Gzira residents only too? Lets hope people visiting friends or working in the Ta'xbiex and Sliema area don't start parking in the Gzira area making it more difficult for US GZIRA RESIDENTS to find a parking space.

Missy Bell

Jul 14th 2009, 16:59

To all those of you who disagree:
I live in Sliema. Every day, especially during the summer time, I spend at least 20mins trying to find a spot to park, that is if I’m lucky! Not to mention the fuel I waste! And when I finally find a parking, I face a 5 minute walk back home, but I’m not complaining, as long as I finally get to park! I sometimes end up getting the bus just so I don’t lose my spot!
I am the only person in my family (of 4 persons all eligible to drive) that owns a car, and i have recently considered selling my car because of this matter! Who needs a car when you cant drive it?!

Pierre Galea Musu

Jul 14th 2009, 16:10

The timed parking scheme is downright discriminatory and especially unfair on people who happen to work in such areas. In Ta'Xbiex for example, such a scheme is operated. Sure enough, day in-day out residents do not park in the allotted bays but in the other bays, making parking a nightmare. Many a time the resident alloted spaces are free and they remain free for a good stretch of time because the residents simply couldn' be bothered. They have it good both ways!To add insult to injury, alot of residents have garages. If we have to be fair, the law should be amended to disallow parking by residents outside the assigned resident bays. But, then again, could the local councils be bothered?? No and I'll give you two good reasons. Residents vote for their local councils whilst people coming to work in the neighbourhood don't . Secondly, this is simply a fertile opportunity for warden contravention efforts. (Obviously the latter is tolerable as the revenue goes to make our roads safer) Pile on the straw on the camel's back: speed cameras, BBQ restrictions, parking restrictions, licence hikes, etc etc. One fine day that extra straw.....

M. Xuereb

Jul 14th 2009, 15:47

To all those who think that this is all thanks to the EU, pls. confirm which of the following is true:
a) Had we not joined the EU, there would have been more parking spaces available
b) Had we not joined the EU, there would have been less cars on the road
c) Both (a) and (b)
d) None of the above - we still haven't got over what EU membership has cost the Labour Party

Mary Doris Azzopardi

Jul 14th 2009, 15:40

I hope that Psaila Str.,is included in this list because we never find a parking, not even in front of our garage. It happened that my garage is next to another one which is not in use, and everyone knows about this, so the yellow lines in front of our garage continues with the one not used. So they leave only space for me to enter the garage, and I have a small car.

Justin Vella

Jul 14th 2009, 15:07

Sliema was always a nightmare to go shopping now I cannot imagine what it is gonna be like. Who is gonna spend an hour to find a parking ? Sometimes when I start reading some news I think that I am dreaming what I am reading.

ian Christie

Jul 14th 2009, 14:55

Now I live in Sliema and admittedly it is a bit of a nightmare to find parking when I get home. However I do not feel that I have any greater right to park anywhere than any other car user in Malta. After all we all pay our road tax, license ( call it what ever) . Further more some of the times listed do not make sense . For example in my street ( Depiro ) the controlled time is between 8am and 9pm , which is actually the time were a) most of the residents are a work and b) the time were most parking spots are vacant.
Another point which you the public must realize is the these “regulated “ zones will mean that you will unable to visit your family , friends or work because ,frankly you do not live there.
The genius that came with the idea probably doesn’t realize how many business ( restaurants , cafés ,shops) will be damages or even killed outright by such measures

P.Galea

Jul 14th 2009, 14:02

Future predictions for parking in Malta!


1. Resident Parking Permits – where residents have to pay an annual fee to the council to be able to park in their street or surrounding area.
2. Visitors - when visiting family and friends one will have to have a Visiting Permit displayed on windscreen. This will have to be purchased from your Local Council by the Resident you are visiting. Prices will vary depending on how long your stay is.
3. Shopping – When shopping in areas you do not have a permit for you will to Pay & Display (Parking Metres). Prices will vary depending on how popular the area is.

Enjoy guys this is what the Maltese Population signed for when they said yes to the EU but don’t worry this is not the worst, there is a hell of a lot more worse things to come!!

A.Cassar

Jul 14th 2009, 13:51

Ahhh well, well, well.I always thought that sooner or later this traffic/parking problem is a big time-bomb that was going to explode at any time and cause plenty of grumbling and unrest to all the citizens of these islands.Building planners in Malta never ever planned for enough spacious wide parking spaces in between our streets of the Island.Year after year of planning and building no one ever thought that eventually we will be facing this situation.Tell you what ! we should slowly but surely be pulling down our buildings and re-built multi-storeys with enough parking spaces around,

Colin Attard

Jul 14th 2009, 12:42

Yes Mr. Spiteri , I know the feeling I know people in Valletta who park in the white lines so that they keep the blue and green ones clear so that if a relative or friend arrives they just switch places that’s why and the authorities should take urgent action to stop all this illegal activity.

E. Azzopardi

Jul 14th 2009, 12:28

Why all this fuss because Sliema, after so many years, has it's own Residential Parking System? Other localities have had this for ages. I am sure that many of those who are complaining HAVE THEIR OWN RESIDENTIAL PARKING in their town or village! Very nice. You want to find space at work and then go home and fine your own space too! Did you complain when this came to your town or village? I do not think so. And yes, this is discriminatory. So all those who do not have it in their town or village, should fight for it. But not remove it from other places because it "suits me". Those complaining are not taking the residents into consideration. I am all right and .... ... .... !
SLIEMA RESIDENTS YOU ALL HAVE THE RIGHT TO VOICE YOUR OPINION. GET ON WITH IT. WE HAVE HAD IT UP TO OUR NECKS FOR A LONG TIME NOW !!!
Having said all this, now it has become utterly urgent to have a decent, efficient, citizens' friendly public transport system,

A. Farrugia

Jul 14th 2009, 11:07

Great news...now why don't we make all the streets like this and introduce resident parking schemes everywhere, for everyone? And then, we'll just start using bicycles as there would be nowhere for anyone to park, except outside our homes that is, though that would defeat the purpose of owning a car. I see an environmental measure in disguise here.

I'm sorry, sarcasm apart, but this approach contrasts with how government is giving back 'public land' to the public in certain areas, and then giving priviliges to residents of particular zones. I disagree with the concept of resident parking schemes - everyone is paying the same road tax, so everyone should have the right to park in PUBLIC spaces, not only residents. No one forces anyone to live in busy areas like Sliema or Bugibba. To appease these residents, several are being left without anywhere suitable to park thereby increasing time-wastage, fuel wastage and pollution.

This is Malta, and credible alternatives to driving one's own car are few and far between (if any). Parking space is necessary, restricting it is foolish. I'm sorry, but residents do not own the public space in their street. This is discriminatory in my view.

Edwin Ebejer

Jul 14th 2009, 11:06

Why do we need resident's parking reservations in our villages? Does this mean that you will not find a parking place except in your own village, so you might as well leave your car parked at your village/town? Why should residents park cars or worst still vans and heavy vehicles for whole weekends in front of neighbours doors? Parking rights should be rethought.

Missy Bell

Jul 14th 2009, 11:04

Halleluiah

C Spiteri

Jul 14th 2009, 10:54

In Ta'Xbiex most streets have resident parking on one side and the other side of the street is free for all. I fail to see what is illegal and discriminatory in this.

Silvia Deb

Jul 14th 2009, 10:36

OK, so what about in Zebbiegh??? thanks to Ta' Soldi restaurant residents don't have anywere to park on friday evening, saturday evening, sunday lunch and sunday evening....where is the ADT here???? Mgarr local council doesn't do anything to help residents...all they are interested is in Mgarr area...so I presume if anyone of ADT reads this HOPEFULLY they will do something about it???????

nah...ghawn Malta kollox jaqa fuq widnejn torox...they listen only when you put money in their pockets and nothing else...

good job guys at ADT you cerainly know what the hell is going on in this country.
Sewwa qal John Bundy tarba...

Pajjiz Tal Mickey Mouse dan !!!!!!

M Grech

Jul 14th 2009, 08:43

This privilige is called discrimination between those who have a parking space allowed for them on returning home and those who have not. Some residential areas are also poplular for parking like in Mriehel where factory workers like to park instead of in the factory areas and residents do not have a parking space. Residents in this area are being discriminated cos they are also restricted in parking when they go to other towns and villages. B'Kara Council pls take note.

Ernest Vella

Jul 14th 2009, 08:38

I agree in reserved parking if parking areas are made for who needs to visit a village or town...how can you make reserve parking without making parking available for others...don't we also pay the road tax....it's not fair that you have a funeral in Sliema for example and you have to park so far as 30 minutes walk - park on a reserved box with the risk of getting a fine for a 1 hour visit!!! - at least no wardens passed at that time

Colin Attard

Jul 14th 2009, 08:34

May I ask? Should the government, who is supposed to be safeguarding me against any form of discrimination put into force a law that in itself discriminates people? I live in St. Joseph High road St. Venera, I have parking problems every day due to the fact that the area I live in has many large offices and establishments, for example within a few meters of my house there is the BOV Headquarters, the BOV and HSBC banks, the BOV stores and offices, St. Frances of Assisi school (ex Umberto Calosso) Centru Hidma Socjali, Casa Leone St.Joseph Home Vincenzo Bugeja and various Retail establishments, not to mention that my street is a main thoroughfare very busy twenty-four hours a day. So who is safeguarding who? I’m not asking for the discriminating law to be applied in my home town, all I’m asking is for the authorities to stop breaking the law. I also advise motorists who are fined for parking in residential parking zones to pay under protest and keep all receipts for future reference.

Brigid Garroni

Jul 14th 2009, 08:14

If it's discriminatory to have residential parking zones, then it is just as discriminatory not to have them: without residential parking zones, it is the residents of a town who are discriminated against. They are the ones who have to spend hours crawling through the streets of their neighbourhood in an attempt to get home. They are the ones who are forced to stop their cars in the middle of the road to unload a bootful of shopping, looking apologetically over their shoulders at the cars brought to a standstill behind their own. Colin Camilleri's suggestion that developers should switch from building blocks of flats to building car parks is a very good one. Another idea might be to invest in parking meters. Placed in the very same zones which are restricted to resident-only parking, when such parking spaces are free, they can be utilised at a price by non-residents, with a time-limit. They would thus not be wasted when not in use by residents, but not be taken up for so long that residents would not be able to get back to them at the end of a day's work.

M Gauci

Jul 14th 2009, 00:39

The culture of relying on cars and bad roads in Malta is unbelievable in such a tiny place. And we want free parking for family visitors - welcome carbon emissions. We need better commuting means, less garages (and therefore more parking spaces for those who afford them or really need them) and a car scrappage scheme similar to the UK, not only road taxes that aren't reinvested into our environment or laughable car free days and 364 days in gas guzzling Jaguar. Give us all a break and put the money where your mouth is.

cassar i

Jul 13th 2009, 23:59

The authorities should have created multistorey car parks a long time ago. but now look what we got. so just boycott these places punto e basta.

I M Dingli

Jul 13th 2009, 23:14

@ Johanna Darmanin

Please note that Valletta is a central hub for the bus system, that means that you need to catch only one bus from which ever location you live in.

Personaly if i had to follow your suggestion, i would need to catch 2 buses to come to Sliema (something which i will never do). Moreover, please note that the bus service stops quite early so what do you suggest, catching a taxi?

Bill Khan

Jul 13th 2009, 21:35

This is stupidity of the highest order. This indicates what a total mess Malta is in under the current government.

daniel briffa

Jul 13th 2009, 21:17

What I have yet to understand is why the local councils drive people away from their area. This Restriction will definitely do so and shop owners and businesses in the area will see a massive decline in their business due to the great de-motivation that this is causing on people who frequent the shops and restaurants. That’s just what they need during one of the worlds worst crunches and economic instability period.
Let’s face it, a big majority of the residents are employed and go to work for most of the day (normally 8am-6pm). During this time I am sure that the residents who work will not benefit from this restriction. On the other hand, the poor people who work in the Sliema area (who normally spend a good 45 minutes to park every morning) will face a worse nightmare to find a parking spot, and when they do, they have to relocate their vehicle after 120 minutes. What a great way to start your day!!!
Why not invest in some good sized parking areas. The two parking areas in Qui-Si-Sana and the other one on the ferries hardly accommodate 5% of the parking that is needed.

Frank Galea

Jul 13th 2009, 20:12

In its judgement on 31/1/07 the first court (and this was confirmed by the court of appeal on 19/5/09) clearly states that residential parking or any form of restricted parking (for a limited time) is discriminatory and a preferential treatment in favour of the residents of that particular locality. Once everyone pays the same amount as road licence, everyone has the right to park anywhere in Malta and Gozo, residents and non-residents. However the Central Governement, through the Prime Minister and the Transport Minister, have issued a Legal Notice on 7/7/09 and introduced residential parking in another 19 towns and villages! If this is not sheer arrogance, I wonder what it is! By this Legal Notice the Government has completely ignored what the Court of Appeal confirmed as discriminatory and preferential treatment. Naturally, as a Sliema resident, residential parking is the ideal solution for me but one cannot discuss this matter on a personal basis but has to see the whole picture. These are the type of decisions which are being taken at the moment by the Central Government - decisions which the citizens have to accept until the right time comes and then the citizens will express their verdict!

B.Cremona

Jul 13th 2009, 19:32

I'm sure many people avoid going to Sliema, Hamrun, Valletta.. due to the parking problem. Now its even bigger! No wonder online shopping from abroad is on the increase. Not a very wise decision seeing the way the economy is going.
Obviously its not ADT taking care of that.

Colin Camilleri

Jul 13th 2009, 19:27

What developers should invest in in Malta are high rising parking spaces in each locality and not apartments that anyways are not sold. The government and local councils should help such businesses by giving incentives. People who work far from home can therefore park their cars in these designed parking areas/buildings.
Of course the parking fees should be reasonable and not extortionate like most car parks charge.
In germany for example such car parks are run by the local council or government and bring in the much needed money to continue its service to the community. Of course such projects are not cheap, but they are a sound investment in my opinion. The businesses should and could invest in such projects and see their return of investment level out over a few years. Unfortunately no business enterprenour is interested in Malta to wait so long for the return of investment. We all want to make money in the least possible time, irrispective if we destroy our environment, well being and lower our standard of living. It is a shame actually.

J Micallef

Jul 13th 2009, 18:37

The government had appealed to that sentence Geraldine.... but since this is yet another (very) convenient GonziPN tax it has no hurry to get the case over and done with. And the courts appear to be complacent. What a democracy!

Johanna Darmanin

Jul 13th 2009, 18:32

Well done to the Sliema L.C. Finally we too will be treated as maltese citizens!
how much longer did non-residents expect us to remain prisoners of our own home. All other localities have had residential parking, and we had no option to abide by the law or take the bus. The same will now have to apply for sliema visitors. For those who come to stroll along the promenade, perhaps I suggest that they will their stroll to sliema instead, why is it that everyone wants to take along his car if they want to go out. When we visit valletta, we always take the bus because of the restricted parking. The same will now have to apply if you visit sliema. For those who think that all sliema residents go to work during the day, may I remind them that sliema is made up of many elderly residents who do not go to work. Many of them have to visit clinics/hospital, sometimes have to be driven by relatives who also live in sliema. Up till now, we were the ones who did not find parking and most times spent over an hour in order to park.

Anthony Briffa

Jul 13th 2009, 18:16

@Kenneth Cassar

I appreciate your frustration about this discriminatory legal notice. The shops and resturants are already struggling to survive, all they need now, besdies the effect of this notice is a boycott. This legal notice is discriminatory and against human rights. It is also goes against he constitution because it restricts the fresdom of movement to the Maltese citizens. There must be a constitutional case or a report to the legal commissioner at the EU for a ruling. Meantime all should continue to park as normal and nobody should pay the tickets coming from this new arrangement. Civil disobediance is the name of the game. We tried after the 1981 election under Mintoff and we should go for it again now. The buraucrats who are coming with these ideas should not be listened to by the politicians.

E.Camilleri

Jul 13th 2009, 17:41

About time!!!
What all of you complaining about seem to forget is the endless hassle Sliema residents go through all day, especially in the evening to find parking at LEAST 5minutes away from home.... It is not the first time that i have spent up to an hour with children in the car trying to find parking somewhat even close to my residence because half Malta decides to come and swim in sliema or have a walk on the front! Go swim and walk in or near your own locality or at least leave your car at home and catch a bus!!! Not only the hassle....but all the congestion and fumes of half malta and sounds of the hamish revving of cars fill the air around our homes all the way till gone midnight! Maybe this scheme is finally a wake up call for all non-sliema residents (if they wish to spend their summers here) to either buy their own summer residence or bus it! Simple!!!!

stephen mifsud

Jul 13th 2009, 17:13

ok this is the NEW Malta Parking Policy ......."No body moves and noBODY will gets hurt" so stay in your town or village AND only find work there and all will be fine ...MALTA IS CLOSED FOR TOURISTS AND VISTORS ALIKE ! ONLY IN MALTA! ...WHAT IS GOING ON WITH MALTA ?....THIS IS TRULY GOING TO HAVE A HUGE NEGATIVE EFFECT FOR MALTA ....THERE MUST BE SOMEONE WITH A GRAIN OF INTELLIGENCE TO DRAFT ANOTHER WAY TO DEAL WITH THIS ISSUE .....LIKE SOMEONE SAID EARLIER WE ALL VISIT EACH OTHERS TOWNS AND VILLAGES AND IT WORKED FOR YEARS ....YES WITH SOME INCONVEINCE BUT WE ALL LIVE WITH IT ...IF YOU IMPLEMENT THIS POLICY IT WILL BE A DISASTER FOR EVERYONE ON MALTA ....PLEASE DO NOT LET THIS HAPPEN .

pzerafa

Jul 13th 2009, 16:49

jekk ser isir din il-ligi f'tas sliema nippretendi l-istess kullimken. F'Malta jew ghawdex kullimkien saret problema biex tipparkja. Din ligi tal-gungla!!! . jekk ma jsirx hekk naghmlu boykott l-elezzjonijiet tal-kunsilli /ewropa. Tafu x'qed taghmlu jew!!!!!!!!

D. Carabott

Jul 13th 2009, 15:34

I understand the frustration that a parking restriction may cause. We all pay the same taxes and therefore we should all expect to be treated equally. I too find that the sliema area (and many many many other localities) suffer from a lack of parking (for non residents) as it is and these restrictions will just hinder us more... BUT... can't you see that this is actually a good thing? Our public transport system is a joke but then again.. to me at least... seeing all those cars with one person per vehicle is also a joke... with restrictions on car use in place, we can at least start pressuring the authorities into improving the public transport system (as should have been done in the first place) and that way we don't need to spend valuable time (not to mention the environmental implications of driving) looking for parking and/or complaining that our brand new fuel guzzler doesn't fit anywhere. I guess i'm just a dreamer though....

Mark Galea

Jul 13th 2009, 15:08

But this is utter madness! I work in central Sliema and all the roads around the area where I work are listed! A worker cannot be expected to leave his office to go and change the parking bay every two hours! Come on! This is so utterly unfair and benefits the few 'preferiti'.
I hope the government will now dish out parking vouchers so that we can at least use the car parks without payment. What sheer arrogance!
Also, I completely agree with Luciano Borg's contribution. A newly restored town house in central Sliema has 2 parking bays allocated to it. And what does the owner do? Park in the (white) parking bay just touching his own (yellow) ones......therefore occupying half a street in all. Such typical Maltese arrogance.......well done, Nikki Dimech. I bet you're going to be very popular! Is it votes you're trying to secure?

Joseph Buttigieg

Jul 13th 2009, 14:08

Could someone at the ADT or local councils tell me what provision for parking has been provided for all the employees residing outside these localities and work in the Sliema/St.Julian's area.

I live in Sliema and work in St.Julian's, what provision do I have to park? What about all my employees totalling over 50 most of them residing outside Sliema and St.Julian's, where are they going to park?

So by providing 'parking spaces' for the residents are we going to sacrifice the livelhood of all these people, Shouldn't the businesses in Sliema and St.Julian's have a say in this very important issue.

What about relatives of the Sliema and St.Julian's residents? Now they are limited as to how much time they can visit their relatives.

Everyone (maybe except ADT and the local councils) know that the world is going through an economic crisis, what about the loss of business this scheme will create among the leisure and retail outlet business.

Believe me 'John Bundy' said it right we live in a 'Mickey Mouse' country!!!!

E. Azzopardi

Jul 13th 2009, 13:56

It seems that the main contention here is SLIEMA. For the information of many, Sliema has a lot of Senior Citizens who have already done their duty and worked all their lives and now THEY DO NOT GO TO WORK. I am one of them and I know of several others. So, please stop this nonsense that all Sliema residents go to work. And, everybody knows that a lot of poeple come to Sliema for leisure purposes!!! And that is good. Those who work in Sliema are complaining, the business gurus are complaining etc etc. And again, what about the residents who have priority above everybody else? Why is it that I come anytime during the day and I cannot park my car ANYWHERE ? And especially during the evening because somebody from wherever is having an ice cream and the others are having a coffee and the others and the others etc etc. It was about time too! Well done to the previous Council and I totally concur with the new mayor Mr Dimech and wish him and the new council all the best.

Claris Galea

Jul 13th 2009, 13:45

If a sliema resident can come and park behind my door for anytime he wants , why cant I do the same , since I pay the same road tax ?
I agree that we should boycott all businesses within the confines of these ridiculous bylaws until they are removed ...next step Parking meters !!!The power of your money is there when you keep hold of your money !!!

Marc Magro

Jul 13th 2009, 13:03

If we're talking about fines, why shouldn't people who have their own garages and park in the street on a daily basis, whilst leaving their garages empty, not be fined? Why shouldn't people who have drive ins not park there, instead of taking up valuable and restricted space? What's the use of providing garages and parking spaces by property developers, if the buyers continue to park in the street? If the councils really want to do anything about parking, I suggest they should start going around their town / village and counting how many spaces could be freed if the cars in the street are actually parked in their owners' garage! And they should fine the owner after the first couple of warnings!

Kenneth Cassar

Jul 13th 2009, 12:55

@ Neal Schembri:

Nothing new. Valletta has a similar scheme already.

Joanna Borg

Jul 13th 2009, 12:36

Well to all those working in Sliema or those wanting to shop in Sliema this is a rude awakening !! I have the privelege of living in Sliema and working in Valleta. If I am lucky enough to park on the outskirst of Valletta fine .-just a steep uphill walk to the office, rain or shine. If there is no luck on that front, then its a Euro 6.52 per day courtesy of the CVA. Its a lose lose situation ! Paying to get paid !! Going home back to Sliema its the same issue, all the more in the summer with no remedy for the Sliema residents !! So to all of you whining citizens, employers and greedy business people who make Sliema a misery to live in please wake up !!! Pay to come to Sliema, use a car park or walk a mile if you have to just as, Sliema residents and Valletta employees do, whether to work, shop or relax. In Sliema we are prisoners in our own home because half the island seems to think that Sliema is the place to be !

Justin F

Jul 13th 2009, 12:17

Most of you seem to be against this movement.. maybe the local council took it to an extreme, however most of your comment are not justifiable:
1. Where do I park when i get to work? Bus it... Most towns are congested with traffic anyway, you'll be doing the world a favour.
2. Speculation about Tigne point etc... all bull!!.. direct the cars to wherever there exists a place to keep them all. Tigne point will be the upcoming host - period!
3. Void talk about MEPA policies that mention the provision of garages etc... what are you people on about? do you think it is at all possible to find a garage in sliema (for town houses)?
4. What about shopping? Get lost!!! If you have the time and cash to shop, either catch a cab or pay to park.
Enforce this post 5.30pm? who are we kidding - sliema residents who pay a substantial price for their house, end up spending, at times, 20+ minutes to find a parking to go HOME!! and not shopping.

A. Bonnici

Jul 13th 2009, 12:13

Residents' parking? So what's the need of a garage? If in those areas residents don't have a garage and own a car then that's their problem. They should have thought about it before own 1, 2 or more cars beyond their means.

I own 2 cars and have a 2 car garage so I don't have any problem and ppl coming to my area can still park in front of me house and I pay road licence for both (as hopefully everybody else does) so why can't I park in those areas due to residents restrictions?

I don't think all this is fair on all. Let's not be selfish in this little area called Malta

Renald Attard

Jul 13th 2009, 11:40

Why do we keep do this to ourselves. I can think of a few badly effected industries as a result of this bylaw.... we can start with the tourism industry, business, friends of locals etc. etc. ...
Now I have a few questions of my own.

Have the locals been consulted as to whether they need such a scheme
Have proper studies been carried out to see if this idea work

or perhaps this is a new idea to increase wardens business

Kenneth Cassar

Jul 13th 2009, 11:33

Boycott localities (shops, restaurants, etc) that have parking restrictions. Only then will pressure be made to stop this madness.

Geraldine Spiteri

Jul 13th 2009, 11:10

In 2004, Mr Justice Lino Farrugia Sacco issued a judgement stating that the discrimination by local councils between residents and non-residents in terms of parking is unconstitutional. Yet local councils keep issuing this type of regulation. Something must be done by central government to stop this abuse. If you work in Sliema or Valletta, it's a nightmare to park because of restrictions. Residents are often not at home at those times anyway, so you go by trying to park and there are rows of empty spaces you cannot park into. In valletta this is exacerbated by the fact that you are paying to be in there but still find parking restrictions.

C. Cassar

Jul 13th 2009, 10:08

Great! So there will be plenty of free spaces because I suppose the people of Sliema do go to work?? Do they all walk to work?!! And these free spaces will remain free mostly because when people go shopping in Sliema they usually spend more than 2 hours. So thank God for Valletta and the other shops around Malta...
And if I live in a very narrow road which was once an alley in any of the above mentioned localities...I can't park in front of my house but in the vicinity there are houses which have a drive-in. So...the owners can park in the garage, in the drive-in and even in front of their houses. Whereas I can't park in front of my house, don't have a garage and can't park in front of any other house..so I suppose I shall park it next to an undeveloped area some 2 km away....heq hmm...that is if I do find any undeveloped area!!! A really very fair decision approved from the ADT...oh pleaassseeee!!

Luciano Borg

Jul 13th 2009, 09:55

Before applying these parking schemes, local councils should create parking spaces for non-residents, (employees and visitors). And since we all pay the same road tax and car insurance, residents who have the luxury of enjoying reserved parking spaces should be allowed to park only in parking spaces reserved for them. They should be booked for using the parking spaces where visitors and employees are allowed to park. As is the case in Ta' Xbiex, residents park in the spaces where non-residents are allowed to park, only to leave their reserved spaces free of parking. What a shame!

Kevin Cassar

Jul 13th 2009, 09:29

So now we are officially second class citizens!!!! We pay loads more to purchase our cars, pay large insurances and licenses and then we cannot park anywhere!!!!!! THIS IS ARROGANT DISCRIMINATION AT ITS' WORST. This country is a joke!!

A. Cassar Pulis

Jul 13th 2009, 09:19

If that so is the case that we have restrictions parking in sliema and the rest, therfore it's high time that we make use of shops in towns and villages. There ar as much good outlets were to buy clothes, shoes and other items to mention few. So people....OFF WE GO TO VILLAGES WHERE THERE IS AMPLE STOCK....AND PARKING FOR EVERYONE.

James Carter

Jul 13th 2009, 09:03

In sliema this sounds like an EXCELLENT proposal to ruin business in the ferries area and divert business towards the neo Tigne' eyesore!

Keep it up!

If the sliema council is not representing residents or businesses then who is it representing?

Martin Spiteri

Jul 13th 2009, 08:42

What about Main Street Birkirkara? It seems that some people get more priviledge than others. Residents are in frustration over parking because there are no guide lines to guide them into the parking bays. Only one person and the police station have their reserved parking bay.

Amanda Padovani Ginies

Jul 13th 2009, 08:04

Will all due respect but are they thinking of workers??? Where do they pretend that we park now? All the parking spaces will be empty now as during the day most of Sliema residents will be working like we do. Welcome to the Mickey Mouse's country!!!!

jcmicallef

Jul 13th 2009, 08:01

@ D.Psaila

Agreed, 1,000% not 100%.

As for those in Sliema and Ta'Xbiex complaining...well, if you want the parking problem solved, stop selling your property to developers and businesses!!! You can't have all the cake and eat it. There's got to be a sacrifice for the price you get!

jcmicallef

Jul 13th 2009, 07:57

By the way...

Can someone please explain what 'No return within 1 hour means'? as I recently asked a warden, and he could not answer!

Note...

The new act sometimes says: 'No return within one hour', and on other occasions, 'No return within 60 minutes'.

What's the differenc ebetween one hour and 60 minutes???

Perhaps different local councils have hours with different amount of minutes???? I don't know, but it could be:-P

Lorraine Vella

Jul 13th 2009, 07:54

Is this legal? and what about shops? are we supposed to take the bus to go to Sliema, Hamrun, etc? Just to shop? or shall we just go to shop somewhere else? u ejja! what do lawyers say about this? is this legal or what???

jcmicallef

Jul 13th 2009, 07:47

This is discriminatory and should be illegal.

So I have a popular Gynae who lives next door...patients are often visiting up to midnight....can I apply for a restrictive parking?

So I live next to a consultant's clinic that specialises in the illnesses of old age - can we please have restricted parking, so that the poor elderly can either come by bus or park half a mile away?

This idea of restricted parking would have been silly were it not so tragic.

Have lived 30 years in st Julians and Sliema area...u hadt pacenzja kemm flaht. Issa jekk in-nies ta' ta's sliema, iklin u wherever ma jridunix nersaq l'hemm, la biex nahdem u l-anqas biex nixtru, lest nikkuntentohom.

As if the road licence we pay has restricted access! This comes as a final insult after the increase in road licence fees, with the excuse of the environment.

I would expect that the business community opposes such an insulting scheme.

I just cannot fathom what's going in this government's head....nothing is coming right!

John Pace

Jul 13th 2009, 06:54

So what the ADT is advocating here goes against MEPA policies for the provision of garages and parking spaces by property developers. These can now easily opt out not to provide such spaces since local councils will kindly and generously do so on their behalf.

A one time fee to forego this option is more worth it!
MEPA please take note.

marco meli

Jul 13th 2009, 05:27

parking restrictions is DISCRIMINATORY!!!!! so if you live in these mentioned streets you will get reserved parking!!!! is this a joke or what? will these people pay more in road liscence now?

M Zammit

Jul 13th 2009, 04:12

Coming on the heels of a major electoral defeat our dear PN has done it again. Who exactly is in charge of the country? The PM or these fuddy duddy authorities? Redisents parking zones on such a major scale will turn our country in a parochial place. The government should know better how to try and solve parking problems. Surely not through stupid rushed decisions such as this but rather by embarking on projects to increase parking capacity. This would be the real solution to get out of this economic crisis. Sorry to say Malta is acting on a completely different stance than that of the EU as far as discrimination goes. If this will be the trend we'll soon discover that our cars will no longer be of any use. It'll be like building Berlin walls in every town and village of Malta. Not even Mintoff would have dreamt of doing something as dilettantesque as this. Dr Gonzi please see to this gibberish.

neil schembri

Jul 13th 2009, 01:44

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_congestion_charge

read up!

This is even worse as a scheme, cause you pay whether you park or not!

neil schembri

Jul 13th 2009, 01:37

Galea. L

Out of curiousity where do you live? You obviously do not live in sliema thats for sure.
I think it would be best if you chose some other locality to walk in if you cannot abide by the laws.
And if you come and park in our reserved parking i truly hope you'll get a ticket.
And dont go talking garbage, to take your car into london for example, you need to pay a fee,
so why dont you take it up to european court and make a fool of yourself.

i'm sure you're used to it by now.

David Micallef

Jul 13th 2009, 00:23

Why don't just everyone apply for a "special resererved" parking slot right infront of their house?Aren't we all happy with out little own empires, now !

Has the Local Council provided alternatives? NO !!
SO, that does not qualify as a scheme!Call it a scam, pleasing-thy-neighbour BUT not a
scheme! Want another dead silent city on this island ?

Don't try to seduce me with the Public Transport Joke either ! We've been hoping for decades to get a semi-decent fleet with semi-educated (wishful thinking) drivers so, no, I'm not planning to bus it to Sliema, next time I would like to do my shopping, go to friends' house, have a swim or visit a health clinic! If you're hinting to divert my activities to another town then we're witnessing the creation of another silent defunct city...may it 'rot in peace'...I mean 'rest'.

@Neil Schembri: don't you think we have enough martyrs on this rock?

Valletta has CVA system + carparks(PLURAL). Sliema has Tower car park,Qui-Si-Sana Car lot, Torri area - car lot, ex-Magic kiosk car lot which put together might perhaps sum up to only a portion of Floriana multi-storey car-park !!!

w.scicluna

Jul 13th 2009, 00:16

It would be better if someone does something concrete about Iklin. I live in the street where JB stores and Tal Lira are and can safely say that parking is a genuine nightmare. Sometimes I arrive from work at 12.45pm and have to spend till about 1.30pm waiting for a parking spot! Not to mention all the dust, fumes, oil and diesel on the road thanks to our good friends who only think about making a profit.....Someone please take note!

D Psaila

Jul 12th 2009, 23:10

This seems like a "half baked" idea if ever there was one. Take Sliema for instance where 80 streets have been turned in to residential parking zones all week, the shop, hotel and office workers will be parking in those streets without restrictions causing a bigger headache for the people who live there as the parking problem is concentrated in a smaller area, if you see what I mean. The scheme favours some residents and discriminates against other residents who will be inconvenienced even more. It has always been the case that when you buy or rent a property, you don't own the road outside and the only way to guarantee parking is to buy a garage.

mcalleja

Jul 12th 2009, 23:05

with regards sliema, everybody seems to have missed the point with regards parking i the FERRIES / THE STRAND /BISAZZA STR /TOWER RD area.

parking there will be reeserved for residents bla bla......... but hey wake up wverybody, has nobody realised that the council is simply helping dovert the retail community from the above areas i mentioned towards the MIDI complex


how do you think we shop owners are going to fair? its bad enough trying to park in sliema at the mom already i pay my road tax and licence to enable me to circulate and park freely all over malta and gozo. i am a resident of malta and not simply of a particular town or village

John Carmel Navarro

Jul 12th 2009, 22:59

Residents parking are always a bone of contention but a necessity, if you depend on street parking then it s a lottery. First come first served cannot see any argument because one has to park streets away, tough just get used to walking. It is our entire fault we want cars irrespective of the lack of space.

Nathan Young

Jul 12th 2009, 21:05

How would this work with regard to summer residents? We have a lot here from 1st.June to 30th.September. Some of them have between three and four cars per residence.
unless I can park near my home before 4pm. I have to park two or three streets away.

Alfred A.Cauchi

Jul 12th 2009, 19:51

This is not a real joke: it's a SICK JOKE which will backfire sooner rather than later against the residents themselves. For Pete's sake, dear local councils, stop this amateurish imposing of stupid bye-laws which can line your coffers in the short term but which will only irritate ALL citizens!!!

David Cutajar

Jul 12th 2009, 19:28

This residents' parking scheme is just a real joke, and I cannot figure out how the authorities approve of such practices. Love it or hate it, so called non-residents will still visit the respective villages with residents' parking schemes, and guess what happens when they will find that all the streets in the village core are out of bounds.... they will just drive further to the next street. Is it that complicated to understand? The real parking problem would still not have been solved, it's just being shifted away from the village core to other non-glorified streets!

Galea. L

Jul 12th 2009, 18:57

p.s. Earlier I have referred to what another writer posted on The Times earlier this week when he called ADT Awtorita' tad-Duhhan u Trasport.
I would now like to add mu own version
ADT = Awtorita' tad-DISKRIMINAZZJONI u TAHWID.
See my previous post and look at http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/2008/07/06/n3.html yourselves.

Galea. L

Jul 12th 2009, 18:55

neil schembri
We pay our road tax the same as you do and you do not pay anything more than us neil. I assure you and the idiotic counselors and mayor that the first time I come to Sliema I shall make sure that I defy them and park wherever I find a parking space. They know what to do with their reserved parking and let me assure you that I will take my case to the highest courts including outside Malta because when everyone is talking about non-discrimination and every law is changed to make sure that it does not discriminate, when the eu wants no form or manner of discrimination I will not take discrimination lying down especially if it is by Government and authorities who should be seeing to it that no discrimination is made let alone making discrimination themselves. If they want to solve the problem they cannot solve it by discriminating against non-residents. And by the way neil, if I want to come and park my car and go for a walk and not buy anything no one is going to stop me or make me go to a shop to give me vouchers.

G Falzon

Jul 12th 2009, 18:13

By the way! We are still expecting ADT to speak out regarding the Auditor's General findings in connection with emissions sms's. How many sms's did ADT receive since it stopped recalling cars for tests while the general public was not informed accordingly? Where are our members of parliament sleeping?

Chris Finch

Jul 12th 2009, 18:11

Isn't it obvious why they have done this? It isnt to appease a few people who might live close to the restricted parking areas.
It is to raise revenue through the issuing of MORE parking fines. How will the wardens know how long someone has been parked in a particular area, and more importantly, how can YOU prove you didn't stay longer than the allotted time? Easy, you can't - so the wardens dish out tickets with impunity, the government gets its revenue from this indirect tax as we are all now wise to where the speed cameras are and they are obviously not making enough from them.
Another bankrupt policy to hit the average Joe on the street from a bankrupt government trying to make ends meet.
Step down now before its too late.

MS g hoare

Jul 12th 2009, 17:49

A problem that alot of people in every country have to face PARKING,, i lived in the UK and we had the same problem but it was solved when they planned residents parking they done it in a way that both residents and non residents acchived what they need most ,But now living in MALTA i can see why it is a bigger problem the parking restrictions time or scheduel is totaly wrong in Malta during the day parking spaces should be also for Non residents while most of the residents goes out to work ,So residents had the right to park in ResidentParking Area at any time , but especially on return from work 18.00 till 8.00am.maybe it is about time that council get orgonized and create parking spaces , PARK AND RIDE especially in zone like SLIEMA , ST JULIANS, ST PAWLS BAY , BUGIBBA , QAWRA , MELLIEĦA, RABAT.I live in a buzy area and have permission to park infront of a Garage yet people dont care and still park infront of garage and others .

John Caruana

Jul 12th 2009, 17:31

I would like to join most of your correspondents who have pointed out the additional difficulties that non-Sliema residents will now face thanks to the restrictions on parking.

Has anyone thought of the problems tourists driving hired cars will face? Do we want to attract visitors and businesses to our prime entertainment and shopping areas?

Unfortunately, local councillors are only trying to serve their voters' narrow interests. If the same rules were to apply across the island, then all of us might as well just stay at home.

Fundamentally, the problem reflects the high population density, the excessive use of private motor cars and poor town planning, which allowed areas like Sliema to become over-developed in the first place.

gaffarena joseph

Jul 12th 2009, 17:18

This is another blow for all those who pay the licence and have the right to park in all streets around malta,and havent got any restrictions not to park,in front of other people doors.
This is another unprofessional decision being taken by unprofisional people that are running the ADT.
So, now we are being deprived from parking , simple because their local council,want that his locals will have access to park near their .So I, might say, what if all local councils do the same, does that means that if all local councils do the same we will have a kaos in our roads.Better if ADT, will take care of our roads, instead of creating these irregularities.

Frank Grech

Jul 12th 2009, 17:10

No problem for me , now more than ever if I want to buy something I do it through computer / internet but now I do not want to hear moaning from shop keepers and the GRTU that the shops are not selling enoug. No parking no shopping. And this apply also to bars/restaurants since if I want to get out i would go to a village or town with no restrictions for parking, and even if the restrictions would not be in effect after 9 pm I would not go either . Hekk b`pika, because if I am not wanted before 9 pm I would consider myself not wanted after.

G Falzon

Jul 12th 2009, 17:06

The party in Government has still not learnt its lesson after the hairline victory in the last election. The general public at large is still being vexed with this and similar ridiculous and anomalous decisions. ADT should engage in more important and critical requirements for our roads. In most cases it is residents' cars who clog the streets! With such decisions the "hairline" Government is vexing the majority of citizens, both blues and reds. And the benefit and validity of this and similar decisions, even out of Parliament, are in doubt. Let ADT cater properly for the repairs and lighting of our roads towards which we all pay taxes!

Victor Buhagiar

Jul 12th 2009, 17:02

This latest approval show the sheer incompetence of the ADT. Why do we always do things in piece meal. Particularly in the case of Sliema where are all the workers and shoppers expected to leave their cars - in the sea maybe? One has to accept the reality of a locality such as Sliema and the ADT should first provide spaces and systems to allow people to park their cars a decent distance away from their required place than approve such schemes.

Anne Grima

Jul 12th 2009, 16:50

Whilst I do understand how parking is difficult for residents, such as those of Sliema, they will now also experience parking difficulties if they work in places such as Hamrun. I do not live in Sliema, but I do work there and always find it a problem to find parking. Once these parking restrictions come into force, my problem will become even bigger. An alternative solution for me would be to board two buses from Attard to Sliema, however, being a partially disabled person it's impossible for me to climb a bus and find the journey most tiring. Personally I think that the proposed parking restrictions will cause more confusion. The 120 minutes parking limitations should only be enforced after 6pm. I would also like to see more parking bays for disabled persons in Sliema as they are always full.

neil schembri

Jul 12th 2009, 16:48

I would like to thank the sliema local council for this iniative. why as a resident of sliema must it take me, at times, up to an hour to find a parking spot? or park 20minutes away from my house?
When i go to valletta i always use the car park, with the same reasoning people who come to shop in sliema should go to the car park if they cannot find parking. Shops should then give parking vouchers to paying customers. Parking in sliema has always been a nightmare. Hopefully things will get better now even though 2 hours parking is too much! how on earth will the warden manage to control every single car?

JOhn Inguanez

Jul 12th 2009, 16:37

@L Attard Bezzina. Our Fgura Local Council should remedy our situation also in Zabbar and Hompesch Roads and adjoining street, where we, the residents have no priority parking over residents of these localities who have declared these jungle parking lots.
The conversion of local residences into businesses establishments are causing us so much hassle to park. So yes, come on, Fgura Councillors. If the residents of these 19 localities feel they have such a right, why not us! Our road licence is the same, they don't pay any more than me.
The Local coucil should also look into yellow marking in front of dubious garages in Zabbar Road, depriving us of previous parking places.

Rowena Scicluna

Jul 12th 2009, 16:19

If "residents", "a number of people who work in Sliema" and "some businesses" are all against it, then I'm wondering WHO pushed for this measure...

R Grima

Jul 12th 2009, 16:16

Look darlings..the next step after this one is parking meters...get it:)...then Council Tax, Rubbish tax....oh so much still to come,if you only but knew it.We're in the EU remember?

saviour attard

Jul 12th 2009, 16:13

One cannot allow privileges to particular residents at the expense of all other citizens. We are all citizens of Malta and have the same rights. All Maltese residents have the right to have the areas where they live declared as reserved parking zones. Off course this is practically impossible. So please ADT take matters into your own hands and decide for the common good of all citizens, keeping in mind that the size of the Maltese islands does not allow us for such luxuries.

T Aquilina

Jul 12th 2009, 16:05

What a lose-lose situation! Take Sliema - besides problems that will be created to visitors who may wish to see their family/friends/girlfriend/boyfriend etc, business will undoubtedly be affected. Not a good move. If the authority now decides that 80 roads in one locality is really quite over the top, it will have to deal with the ire of those residents whose streets are struck off the 'off limits' list (hypothetically). Way to go, decision-maker! Go back to school.

Franco Frendo

Jul 12th 2009, 15:42

I think that before implementing this new Parking Regulations the newly appointed Sliema mayor should go round Sliema and check if all the reserve parking bays are valid or not cause in St. Helen Street within few meters from each other " ax kienu tal-qalba " 6 particular persons were granted a reserve parking bay and apart from that some of them they even park that mc in a car parking bay u fejn ikun il-warden ghal dawn in-nies and my father who is 75 years old he has to park god knows where, imma ahan m'ahniex tal-qalba.

Danny Apap

Jul 12th 2009, 15:04

The parking problem in Sliema and the other selected town have not been thought through!
Where are the multi storey car parks in place first before deprive the people from parking close to shops or dinning out, me and my wife visit my homeland 2 or three times a year and I hire a car and we go round see towns and villages, true is hard to find parking spaces specially at the weekend; so why not build multi storey car park first and put in system park and ride in towns like sliema .
Motorists 1 – 0 Decision Makers (Own Goal) I must say ONLY IN MALTA

Galea. L

Jul 12th 2009, 14:42

continued
for Petitions does not accept the petition file an appeal to the Court.

This CHARADE must stop as the IDIOTIC and STUPID counselors and Mayors do not know what they are doing and think that because they have become a bicca kunsillier they think that they are some demi-gods and can discriminate between citizens.

No STUPID and IDIOTIC counselors and mayors. YOU absolutely have NO right to discriminate against citizens because they do not live in your locality.

Another suggestion that I make is to get hold of the MP's and tell them straight away that if they do not remove all reserved parking then they can forget your vote. That is the only way to get them moving.

70,000 have already expressed their discontent at how the country is being managed and how the politicians are running it. POLITICIANS you can rest assured that they shall increase next election.

If anyone starts collecting signatures for the removal of all local councils I will definitely be on the list of signatures.

Galea. L

Jul 12th 2009, 14:33

Andrew L Vella
You are perfectly correct. This has also been stated by the Awtorita' tad-Duhhan u t-Trasport as it was called by someone else yesterday in its reply to the Attard residents who wanted a reserved parking for residents only for 2 hours.

There was an article on Malta Today Sunday 6 July 2008 http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/2008/07/06/n3.html which referred to more than 16,000 illegal tickets that had been issued and referred to the Attard request.

Their letter to the ADT said that “Ultimately however, the best solution would be to assign the only 5-6 parking spaces available in the area as ‘residents only parking’ between 12:00 and 14:00.”

Within a few days, the ADT replied to inform the complainants that: “Residents Only Parking and Access for Residents Only are not approved by the Traffic Management Unit since these are discriminatory.”

I suggest that all readers do as I do. Disregard all the notices and if you find a tickets file a registered petition with the Board for Petitions POBox 41 Valletta sending them a copy of the Malta Today article and that it is discriminatory. Inundate the Board for Petitions and even if the Board

J. Debono

Jul 12th 2009, 14:16

I think most of you missed the point.

Instead of the Government trying to increase Public Transport use by making it more efficient, punctual, easy to use, affordable, less time consuming, etc., etc., etc.,

He is trying to increase Public Transport use by making the use of driving one's private car IMPOSSIBLE!!!

What surprises me is the fact that the people making these decisions, do not take into consideraton the whole picture, but only the benefit of their residents.

IMAGINE, ALL parkings around MALTA will be for residential only. The use of a private car will be for a :-

Sundat ride!!!!

M Scicluna NFT

Jul 12th 2009, 14:08

Smart City, Smart Island, Smart People, and Smart Parking what's next? I just received an invitation. Dear Sir you are invited to visit our town to see your friends, family, and while you are here you may do some shopping and / or Dinning and wineing. Dress no restriction provided it is decent. Bring your cash or plastic cards with you. On your arrival please be so kind and see how you are going to dispose of your Vehicle which is fully paid and over taxed, road worthy and fully paid license and fines. If you cannot meet the latter conditions in that case do not bother to accept our invitation and stay at home or go somewhere else where there are no parking restrictions. Yours Joking Apart full of faith The Town Council.

George Reynolds

Jul 12th 2009, 14:00

This is a world wide problem. Too many cars, too little space. Until public transport is vastly improved the problem will only get worse. I know nationalisation is a provacative issue but something has to be done and done quickly. We have the same problem here in the U.K but instead of producing fewer cars we invent schemes to encourage people to buy more, incurring more debt to avaricious banks and financial institutions. We are in need of a radical rethink on our needs for the future
Regarding parking restrictions, this I think will backfire on the economy of Malta. If on my next visit I cannot park nearby shops or tourist attractions, what do I do? Park and get a fine, drive on or not return to Malta again. Every month I read of tourist numbers dropping, each visitor lost is a potential job loss. I am not a whinger, I love coming to Malta as do my freinds and family but it is not the only sunny place in the world. Public transport needs a radical shake up...fast!

david borda

Jul 12th 2009, 13:58

What about this!

I live in Attard. There are certain people who own more than 3 cars and occupy parking spaces for others. They park in their drive in with the car protruding on the road which is illegal. They park infront of their houses and infront of other people's houses. They do musical chairs with these cars.

I have a 6 month old baby and because of these selfish individuals I can't park close to my house to take the baby in and out. I'm not expecting to have reserved parking but is it accpetable to have an indiviual that owns 6 cars take up the whole road.

The irony of all is that if you park infront of their house they come to tell you to remove it as if the place is their divine right. Unfortunately there are many like these in Malta.

There are others who have a long drive in and don't use it. They opt to park on the road.

How are the authorities going to tackle these selfish individuals? They pay road tax and nothing can be done they tell you when complaining!

Melanie Saliba

Jul 12th 2009, 13:58

What a ridiculous parking scheme! so does this mean that if, by some miracle, I manage to find a visitors parking space I must still leave within two hours?? I really don't think I'll be shopping or eating in Sliema anymore. It's going to be way too much of a hassle as I definitely do not intend to catch the bus which, I am told, is often full up and, for this reason, unreliable. Why should I waste more time looking for a parking space and walking to and from the shops or waiting for a bus in this sweltering heat than I actually spend in the shops. I often used to drop by Sliema just to quickly check out what's new in the shops. Not worth it anymore.

Hubert Farrugia

Jul 12th 2009, 13:54

How about those of us who work there? I live on the outskirts of San Gwann and it is absolutely impossible to catch a bus early in the morning. The solution is to either take the 42 bus (when it does, as some drivers forget the route or decided to put a 1 in front of the 42 as an express service, which doesn't pass through there) then change bus again (taking an hour to commute 5km), or take the 65 bus by driving to San Gwann centre. Ah yeah.. but one can't park there either because there are the resident permits!

I understand parking spaces have their limits till a certain extent, however those who work there need to be treated as if they are useless people wasting the Town's resources. After all they are those who help the economy of the area run effectively!

walter arciola

Jul 12th 2009, 13:53

sur d attard i think that you dont live in sliema to see what a big problem we have

john fenech

Jul 12th 2009, 13:47

The situation in most localities:

1) Most of the business outlet have a no parking zone
2 )Several parking slots are occupied by the employees of the business outlets
3) Several roads are inaccessible between 07:00 & 17:00 due to construction work
4) Other roads are blocked by construction heavy vehicles for months on end
5) Private garages restrict parking in several roads; some even have the check to extend the yellow line by one Metre on either side of the garage. And in certain localities whole streets are marked in yellow lines!
6) Parking space is also restricted by pedestrian crossing, bus stop and by the occasional reserved space.

And now the sages of organised confusion have officially introduced the scheme that will privilege some at the cost of others. Apart from discriminating against outsiders, this scheme will privilege some of the locals in respect to others; since not all streets, thank our lucky star, will benefit from this scheme!

For obvious reasons it would be more sensible to reserve the parking from 16:00 onwards while the Local Council have to insist that commercial outlets should provide sufficient parking to customers and employees in private car parks!

Galea. L

Jul 12th 2009, 13:42

The local councils have caused more worries, troubles and obstructions and have been milking citizens since their inception more than ever.
MP's either remove the local counsels powers and the local councils, open all ares and remove all reserved parking or else not only will people not vote at the local councils elections but the MPs themselves will get the answer in the next general election.
Remember the 70,000 voters that did not even bother to collect their votes.
Next election will arrive and you shall all get your answers.
If you do not remove and make illegal reserved parking schemes YOU ARE AIDING AND ABETTING AN ILLEGALITY SINCE SUCH SCHEMES ARE DISCRIMINATORY AND THEREFORE ILLEGAL.
I REPEAT. MP'S YOU ARE AIDING AND ABETTING AN ILLEGALITY AND FOSTERING DISCRIMINATION.

Pierre Micallef Grimaud

Jul 12th 2009, 13:27

I am a resident in Ta’ Xbiex and totally disagree with what has been reported by a businessman that he has 21 employees who never find parking and that resident’s parking spaces are left free and also that residents themselves park elsewhere rather than use their parking spaces. Ta’ Xbiex has become a business and medical centre were hundreds of employees commute 6 days a week. If one had to consider the number of employees in every office and clinic there is in Ta’ Xbiex, the solution would be that of building a multi-storey car park. The Ta’ Xbiex Local Council have done a very good job to divide several streets into resident’s and non-resident parking zones. Being a resident myself, I have to think twice if not more before I use my private vehicle on an errand, thinking of having to park so far away from home when I return back. Another problem is the lack of traffic wardens who visit the area every so often. If they had to be present all days from Monday till Saturday they would book hundreds of abusers who have more than enough time (120 Mins) to park on resident’s parking spaces.

roger mifsud

Jul 12th 2009, 13:21

Is the ATD charging these people for the privilege of reserved parking? My taxes go to help keep their road in good condition, yet I am being deprived of parking there. If the upkeep of the road is not made, they should ask the profligate ADT about that. Why dont these people buy a garage before a car? So "visitors to their homes would be affected" - the solution is simple. These people should go and collect their visitors, and then take them back home.

Andrew Azzopardi

Jul 12th 2009, 13:16

This is really stupid. Visitors and workers are more likely to need parking than residents. Residents have garages, if they don't have one, they go buy one. If they can't afford it, then its their fault for spending twice as much on an apartmant when they could have bought a much nicer more spacious villa/bungalow in a place other than sliema where property is actually cheaper.

Phil Pryce

Jul 12th 2009, 13:07

I suppose we will all have to catch the bus now. I work in Sliema and nearly all the buses are crammed to, and well beyond capacity in the mornings. A sensible approach might have been to create a park and ride scheme for the most densely populated areas like Sliema and others. Sorry, I said 'sensible'. How silly of me to apply this word to Malta.

Chris Farrugia

Jul 12th 2009, 12:59

So lets take an example (towns just picked at random):
I live in Sliema and work in Floriana.

So in the morning I leave my reserved parking in Sliema to go to Floriana, where, with all the reserved parking I find no space to park. Likewise and vice-versa, Floriana residents go to Sliema for shopping and just find empty reserved parking slots, just like to ones they left behind in their town.

I think this is very intelligent planning!

Eugenio Taliana

Jul 12th 2009, 12:53

I do not see much sense in the scheme - for most of the day most of the residents will be working somewhere else and therefore occupying other parking spaces - why doesn't the scheme apply, say, from 17.00hrs up to 07.00a.m. when most of the residents are at home after work, and maybe on Saturdays and Sundays as proposed, from 8a.m. to 9p.m.?

Andrew L Vella

Jul 12th 2009, 12:52

in my opinion, this is outright discrimination - instead of being based on sex, colour or creed, it is based on mere geography - congratulations to whoever has championed this new form of illegally discriminating against a fellow citizen on the basis of where he/she lives.

i have been penalised illegally by wardens for parking in a resident time-based zone for more than the permitted time. much to my dismay, these things are still happening despite the fact that the court had ruled against such measures, declaring that local councils where (and unfortunately still are) acting ultra vires.

this is UTTERLY UNACCEPTABLE! since when has a public entity such as a local council become immune to a court sentence/order? this leaves us with a lot of hassles of having to write a letter to appeal against such unappreciated, time-wasting nonsense actions.

i believe the government won't do anything about this because it seems to have a vested interest. it seems to me that the more money the local councils make, the better it is for them to raise funds.

STOP these nonsense acts, get your act together!

joyce aquilina

Jul 12th 2009, 12:50

what about cospicua?because evrey time there is a mass event in vittoriosa and senglea we never find parking in our streets

Karl Grech

Jul 12th 2009, 12:49

I work in the retail industry in Sliema and my only means of getting to work on time is by car, I've tried using public transport on numerous occasions but I've found it to be very unreliable as usual which left me with no other option. This is going to affect me in two ways because not only will I have to leave earlier so as to hunt for parking but also my clients.

Instead of setting up these ridiculous parking restictions why doesn't the government improve public transport so that my colleagues and I won't need to use my car and neither would my customers.

This only goes to show that the government is avoiding the main issue: Public Transport. It baffles me how something so vital in any country is such a disaster in so small a country. Instead of installing cameras in taxis, speed cameras, road taxes, traffic calming measures and parking restrictions why not solve the bigger problem and avoid beating around the bush?

Lino Pisani

Jul 12th 2009, 12:42

do not have the right to find parking while we are at work. The only reason for such scheme is to collect more fines which the local councils will make sure to enforce. Shop owners have no say on what goes on in the towns of their business locations ( unless they reside in same location ) the arrogances of the local counsels towards them is unbelievable. No consultation is ever made and all decisions are only taken with the voter in mind. I think its about time that the GRTU take a firm stand and do something about this matter before more jobs are lost.

Lino Pisani

Jul 12th 2009, 12:41

What really amaze me is how we can talk about helping the small business at this time of reaction and at the same time we enforce the time restricted parking which also includes the unlimited and reserved parking for residence. This is the most stupid idea of all, this is the cherry on the cake. When we are struggling to make end meet, we shall also have to face the difficulties of getting clients to our shops, making it almost impossible for clients to find parking close by our location. We all know that many are now using the public transport or travailing with friends to their work place since the high rise in petrol cost, this means that more cars are left parked for the full day and occupies the reserved spaces for residence which is making it almost impossible to find a parking spot for potential clients. Also all of us who have shops and employ many , cont.

I M Dingli

Jul 12th 2009, 12:35

How considerate of you Mr. Dimech, first you use Government funds to improve the infrastructure of the Sliema area to attract visitors and improve you property evaluation and now you want to slam shut the door to everyone but Sliema residents.

v.pulis

Jul 12th 2009, 12:31

The parking problem in malta has been looming for quite number of years but as often happens it was swept under the carpet. Now it is set to explode in our faces and we are gripped by panic and implementing panic measures. The only solution I can see is the improvement of the public transport system to such an extent that drivers would be persuaded to use it instead of their cars to go to work at least.

Law. Attard Bezzina

Jul 12th 2009, 12:30

What is Fgura Local Council waiting for to implement a residence only parking scheme? We Mater Boni Consiglii street residents need this urgently as we cannot download our elderly or infirm relatives nor groceries. This stretch of street near the Tip Top area is exasperating.It has became a nightmare especially in the early evening and during Saturday mornings

paul vella

Jul 12th 2009, 12:26

d.attard
Do you find easy parking after a day's work by any chance? Unfotunately I like many Sliema Residents need at least a quarter of an hour or even more meandering to find a slot not necesarily near my place...u viva l-petrol!! As to your very last point..I agree. Sliema people do want too much sometimes but after all they were promised a lot year after year !!!!

Paul Barrett

Jul 12th 2009, 12:24

This is really getting stupid.
You can have a car (if you can afford to pay double what most of the EU pay for a car), you can drive your car but you can not stop and visit friends or family and spend time and money roving around looking for parking slots.
The whole thing needs a re-think: All new residential buildings must have tied garages for at least one car per residence. Commercial buildings must have parking space for all employees and if appropriate, parking space for customers.
Councils need to work out and plan town car parks which should be on re-payment for use at a low enough rate that they will be used and not avoided.
Parking meters would be controversial but far more fair than reserving parking spaces for residences which are left vacant for most of the day.

Adrian Cardona

Jul 12th 2009, 12:20

as far as I know I pay my road licence to be able to use ALL of Malta's roads. Will I now get a discount since I will not be able to park in most of them? Why don't you provide decent car parks before you plough ahead? Do you expect cars to magically disappear and visitors to the area to walk it from home?
What a silly, insular, conservative, mediocre, petty, blinkered country we are.

g.vassallo

Jul 12th 2009, 12:18

Full marks on this decision!?! What about "us" who give maintenance service in these areas and have to carry our tools with us. Are we expected to park in car parks and hike around with our tool boxes?? Isn't the amount of time we are already wasting hunting for parking enough?When are we going to get our parking permission same as doctors, handicapped people etc do??? Or do you expect us to employ a chaufeur to drop us off where we need to stop?

Kevin Pirotta

Jul 12th 2009, 12:13

As one who has always sympathised with the current party in power and voted accordingly in the last six general elections, this ridiculous restricted parking issue, together with others like an eighty million euro Valletta project, which the country can ill afford, is to me is rather beginning to smack of a smokesceen intended to distract people from the far more relevant bread and butter issues. These range from fuel prices on a par with our European counterparts when our salaries are anything but to stimulating job creation. The current incumbent could do worse than try to emulate other governments which are doing their damnest to rekickstart their economies. I do believe that a reassessment of priorities from the PM is called for.

Michael Neville Cassar

Jul 12th 2009, 12:10

The problem of parking is going to back fire on the business community and the same residence .The parking problem must be tackled by the control and staggering importation of cars and where the same person is occupying the road with his many cars registered on the same person. That is if a single person has more than one car registered in his/ her name the extra vehicles should not be allowed on the road parked, but in a garage or in a space out of the road. Bearing mind that he can only drive one car at a time, also buying a car should be allowed by the number of volume permitted in the roads, and allowed according to the number of deaths and vehicles scraped up as per vehicle owner licensed. Persons who wish to buy must request and show their intention giving the type and horse power and a number will be allocated to them by the ADT, unless they own a car and they are going to scrap it, in which case they can buy the new one.

Gerald Fenech

Jul 12th 2009, 12:04

I've just seen the Sliema roads list and it seems that practically every street is now with a parking limit. I hope the council knows what it is going to do to business in the area which was already getting worse due to the parking problem and with this crazy scheme it will become 100 per cent impossible to find parking.

A.Hili

Jul 12th 2009, 12:01

Its true that residents are finding it difficult to park in their own street or towns and something has to be done for them, but in certain areas like Sliema and Vittoriosa, where a number of shops, restuarants and tourist attractions are present, one cannot just mark all parkings as restricted for 2hrs if not a resident! What will happen to all those restuarants that have opened at the Vittoriosa waterfront if all roads in Birgu are restricted for 150minutes? A balance and some common sense has to be implemented during planning of such things. Valletta for example has 3 different parking bays, a big parking lot just outside and a park n' ride system. The rest of the cities have to consider the effect on busnesses, employees and customers of their town as well for their residents rather than solving a problem by creating a bigger one...

Alfred Saliba

Jul 12th 2009, 11:20

Maybe the increase in the already steep fines will compensate for the reduced business. Since joining the EU this place has become a complete hell hole.

d.attard

Jul 12th 2009, 10:50

Our insularity knows no bounds.

Communities in a modern world go out of their way to open their arms to visitors to create a healthy economic and social activity.

Now we shall in-breed like never before, and our blinkered approach has no bounds...now we even want special treatment for our family visitors...please give stupidity a break...