Rabat car park welcomed
Video: Paul Spiteri Lucas
The once dilapidated dust bowl in front of Rabat's Domus Romana has been tarmacked and converted into a proper car park bringing 40 years of residents' frustration to an end.
L-għalqa ta' Kola, as the area was known, had been left abandoned since the 1960s because of a land dispute resolved only recently.
The tarmac is one of three layers; the bottom layer is gravel, which will protect remains believed to be the foundations of centuries-old houses and the second is a thin layer of concrete to add stability.
The quality of life for residents in the area has greatly improved as the time when the wind, would whip up a veritable sandstorm and prevent them from opening a window or hang out washing has come to an end.
Doris Gatt Scicluna, 61, a Rabat resident for the past 45 years and a campaigner to get the car park done, is over the moon that she can finally open her windows and not have dust all around the house. Her next-door neighbour, Rose Falzon, 81, is also very happy it is finally done.
She had moved into her house in 1966 and cannot remember the car park any other way.
However, a small building that used to be the old vegetable market is still a bone of contention with residents as it blocks the view of the Domus Romana and is an eyesore.
Shop owner Ray Azzopardi said the area had been done up perfectly but the only problem was this room, in front of his shop.
George Micallef, 60, also believes the room is a problem but seems more concerned with whether or not the government will be imposing a fee for parking. Other than that, he likes the work done.
A Resources Ministry spokesman said once the project was completed the ministry would look into residents' complaints about the small room. Consultation would be held with all concerned and the necessary steps would be taken, he said. He added that by tomorrow or Friday the lines for the parking bays should be painted. Orange trees will be located in planters around the car park.
Popular Stories
Update 3: Woman found dead in car,...
Updated: Woman dies in car crash
Carm Mifsud Bonnici resigns after...
Part of Dwejra 'Azure window' collapses
The end of the bar that ‘never closed’
Bundy does not know whether to...
Updated - Jason Micallef demands...
This WAS the night - Kurt makes it...
Petrol price up 6c
In Discussion
Updated - Jason Micallef demands...
Gozo tunnel could take 5-7 years to...
CABS remote controlled aircraft shot...
Carm Mifsud Bonnici resigns after...
Joseph Calleja condemns portrayal of...
Updated: Labour would give...
CABS drone shot down
Second group of migrants arrives
Adrian Vassallo in scathing...
42 Comments
Post comment
Please sign in or create your Account to post comments.
GiuovDeMartino
Sep 11th 2009, 16:32
Down below. The European Courts of Justice have a vacancy for a Judge. Have a try.
Raymond Sammut
Sep 11th 2009, 04:41
@ GiovDeMartino
Where is the "Panigierku"? At least "il-Gvern" is not building missiles and trying to ship them Iran.
GiovDeMartino
Sep 10th 2009, 17:29
Panigierku shih ghax il-Gvern ghamel car park!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
d.attard
Sep 10th 2009, 15:10
how would you employ a significant space adjacent to history and architectural beauty? build a piazza dell popolo perhaps or a covent garden complex...no better still we shall all build a car park malta style of course...
Marianna Galea Xuereb
Sep 10th 2009, 15:00
@B Zammit and @ E Gatt
“How can I report a car park attendant?
You can call the ADT on 25608000 or www.servizz.gov.mt and state place, date and Tag number or name of the attendant so that ADT could identify him.”
This can work against official ADT parkers who commit abuse but what about the self appointed parkers who do not wear a tag?
Will ADT take action and refer the matter to the police? After all self appointed parkers are committing harassment and theft (by demanding a fee they have no right to) and the police themselves should tackle such abuse.
B Zammit
Sep 10th 2009, 09:29
Don't pay these "parkers" a single cent.
Don't feel embarrased to tell them these "parkers' they have no right to demand money for doing sweet nothing.
Print out the Q&A from the ADT website http://www.maltatransport.com/en/alt/carparkattend.pdf and keep it in your car.
If you feel that these "parkers' intimidate you, tell them that ADT says you do not need to pay them and that you will report them on 25608000 if they continue or even if you suspect your car gets scratched (vendikazzjoni).
Paul Baldacchino
Sep 10th 2009, 09:17
Last week I was in Valletta I parked near San Gulliani Retaurant just on the battery and a guy came and asked for money. I did not accept to pay money since I am already paying the CVA. Can the authorities concerned look into such abuses.
ADT needs to get rid of these parkers, or parking speculators as any space they see they take over. In Marsa Xlokk their is a parker who only charges tourists on a sunday, he does not come up to us Maltese, this is also unfair.
Galea. L
Sep 9th 2009, 23:08
Andrew Camilleri
The point is that public roads are public and no one should request payment for parking. Parkers should get a job and not simply lazing about collecting money without any receipts and evading taxes which we pay through our noses. Go and stay for a couple of hours and see how many drivers are charged by a parker and you can see that they are better off than someone who is employed because they make thousands of liri, now euros without any receipts and declaring whatever they fancy in their IT return.
A Attard
Sep 9th 2009, 18:57
Happy that the real Blat il-Qamar at Rabat is gone.
My dear mini minor used to cry when I dared park her there in the past for lack of other parking spaces in the area.
Thanks to all who managed to (at long last) remove the eyesore and give us all a big change and a decent place where to park our cars to enable us enjoy the cool summer breeze at Mdina and the environs.
B.Kelly
Sep 9th 2009, 17:03
@E Gatt
Thanks for clearing up the legality of these so called "parkers". As a tourist I've always assumed that the fee they request is a legal payment, and if it isn't paid you will return and find your car clamped or towed.
So, all the times the "parker" has wandered over AFTER I've found a spot and collected his fee it turns out that I wasn't even getting any extra legal protection from having him there!
I know what my response will be next time.
A.S.Galea
Sep 9th 2009, 16:14
Why should I pay for parking here when I am paying my road licence, beside other taxes? And if any park attendant appears out of the blue and start charging us, one should immediately report this person to the appropriate authorities.
c. camilleri
Sep 9th 2009, 16:09
But why spoil all the good work done by leaving that ugly hut? Why was it not included with the whole project? Why all this bureaucracy? Why?
C.ZARB
Sep 9th 2009, 15:34
What amazes me is how many people wants us to reach EU level in terms of taxation when its evident that we are light years away from reaching EU standards in everything that increases our standard of living. Our roads and public transport are a laughing stock, there is little to no accountability in the public sector and our salaries resemble more those of Ukraine then that of England. Regarding laws that protects us, oh god have mercy on us. There are no laws regarding noise pollution, little control regarding air pollution and I haven't even yet touched MEPA which everyone knows that its a joke.
We have a government which deems fit to increase the MPs salaries in the middle of a recession and buy jaguars for governmental departments. We have ministers who wouldn't mind having residential parking in key towns since they can park wherever it pleases them and get away with it.
If the government's plan is to incentive our most talented people to leave our shores then he is doing a great job. We are witnessing a brain drain in nearly all areas.
victor pulis
Sep 9th 2009, 15:07
Why do I see a controversy brewing up over that stone hut?!
victor pulis
Sep 9th 2009, 15:00
According to J Borg "We must get used to these things(parking meters) otherwise how are we to control irrisponsible parking and parker harassment. After all what guarantee are we getting from these parkers."
And according to B Agius "(parking meters)will also allow the council to get rid, once and for all, of those parking attendants around Rabat - begging and annoying everyone!"
So in order to get rid of flesh and blood money suckers we should install metal ones instead! What a sublime idea! Why we are always so eager to emulate other countries in money grabbing initiatives simply amazes me!
Andrew Camilleri
Sep 9th 2009, 14:53
@Galea L: Not that parkers are not annoying sometimes, but come on, people who can afford the running costs of a car can afford 50c every so often! And here I am, looking out of my window, seeing the masses of poor impoverished people begging in the streets...
C.ZARB
Sep 9th 2009, 13:35
Before we introduce parking meters like in any other EU country then maybe we should better first bring the public transportation, efficiency and the salaries at EU standard at well. The only people who had seen their salary sky rocket high where the MPs, which in Malta are a minority.
Sandro Agius
Sep 9th 2009, 13:16
hafna ftahir imma hawn ohrajn li ghandhom l-istess problema u hadd mhu qed jaghti kaz....nittama li ma rriddux nistennew 40 sena biex isir it-triq taghna...grazzi....residenti Achille Ferris Str, Haz-Zebbug
E Gatt
Sep 9th 2009, 13:16
ADT's webpage http://www.maltatransport.com/en/alt/carparkattend.pdf
CAR PARK ATTENDANTS
1. Am I obliged to pay the car park attendant?
No, you are not obliged to pay the car park attendant.
2. Do I have to leave the car key with the car park attendant?
No, you do not have to leave the car key with the attendant. We do not suggest that you do so.
3. Do car park attendants have a uniform or tag?
Yes, car park attendants must have an ADT identification tag worn at all times whilst at work. Additionally, they must be wearing blue trousers or bermudas (in Summer) and a white top/shirt.
4. How can I report a car park attendant?
You can call the ADT on 25608000 or www.servizz.gov.mt and state place, date and Tag number or name of the attendant so that ADT could identify him.
5. Where can I apply for a car park area?
ADT, Sa Maison Road Floriana.
6. Is the car park attendant responsible for any damage or theft of things from my car?
Neither the ADT nor the car park attendants are responsible for the theft or damage of property.
Antoine Grima
Sep 9th 2009, 13:02
Very nice.But why are the pavements so big?Bet that less cars than before will be able to park in the area.
G Darmanin
Sep 9th 2009, 12:58
Someone mentioned the parker under the Mdina bastions and I wish to add the following: Some months ago I visited Mdina and entered from the entrance under the bastions where this particular parker is located. As I was entering I noticed that he was telling a couple (who were foreigners) to pay. The man refused to do so and the parker started to shout at him in Maltese. The couple ignored him and continued to walk towards Mdina. Then the parker came on me and told me: "Go and tell him that he must pay because I dont speak English!" !!!
G. Cachia
Sep 9th 2009, 12:02
A very good job. Hopefully we can keep it clean. I don't think there's a need for the parking assistants but the authorities should inform us whether we pay them or not in case one of them appears.
CCTV cameras will help this place to be safe with regards vandalism both to the place itself and even to our vehicles.
Thanks to the Authorities and to those who helped in this project.
Galea. L
Sep 9th 2009, 11:58
J.Borg, B Agius
STOP MAKING SUCH SUGGESTIONS BORG. IF YOU CAN AFFORD TO PAY FOR PARKING THE VAST MAJORITY OF MALTESE PEOPLE ARE NOT EVEN MAKING ENDS MEET. WE DO NOT HAVE THE WAGES THEY HAVE IN THE UK. AND WE ARE ALREADY PAYING ENOUGH TAXES THROUGH OUR NOSES TO KEEP A CAR ON THE ROAD. AND NO, LOCALS MUST NOT BE GIVEN ANY PRIORITY BECAUSE THAT IS DISCRIMINATORY. THEY SHOULD BUY OR RENT A GARAGE LIKE THE REST IF THEY WANT TO ALWAYS FIND PARKING.
Mario Gauci
I so not pay anything when I park on public roads.
Parkers should get a job and not simply being lazy and expect people to pay them for parking on PUBLIC property.
A.Sacco
Sep 9th 2009, 11:51
So it took (almost) 50 years to find a practical solution. Meglio tardi che mai, as they say. This is a typical benchmark of how the Maltese mindset works.
Patrick Cortis
Sep 9th 2009, 11:15
I think we shouldn't pay, just for the compensation for the repaires we made parking there back for 40 years, punctures and all stuff. Abroad they pay, but roads and parking sites are all supervised by cameras and security.
O Galea
Sep 9th 2009, 11:09
At long last. Alleluia...a shabby place has been turned into a decent car park. And what a prime area!! I suspect more than 90% of tourists visited this area since the industry was introduced during the 1960s. It was a real shame for the nation. But never to late..and thanks to Minister Pullicino & Co. Now one really look forward for its upkeep and not let it degenerate through mismangement, litter and vandalism.
In my opinion it is high time for the government to pass over the land to the Council and introduce the pay-as-you-park system. It is better to employ a uniformed warden to ensure payment and order instead of having a shabby self imposed so called "parker". Looking forward for badly needed improvement in this country. No wonder we placed 52nd to attract investors and among the worst in Europe.
Edwin zahra
Sep 9th 2009, 11:07
Ghalkemm il-progett huwa mwettaq mill-Gvern Centrali, Grazzi kbira ghandha tmur ghal persistenza tal-Kunsill lokali Rabat Malta. Bis-sahha tas-Sindku Sandro Craus u l-Kunsill tieghu li kien ilhom snin shah jaghmlu pressjoni fuq il-Gvern Centrali biex isehh dan il-progett, dan minkejja li sabu hafna bibien maghluqa, b'hekk illum ser ikollna post dicenti fejn nipparkjaw, minghajr ma naghmlu hsara lill-karozzi taghna. Grazzi lill-Gvern li fl-ahhar semgha mill-pariri tal-Kunsill.
Peter Aquilina
Sep 9th 2009, 11:01
One wonders........Is it going to remain as a free-of-charge public car park ? Or shall motorists be encountering "parking attendants" ( "appointed" by the 'Job for The Boys Institute' ) on entering or leaving the site ?
Roderick Cutajar
Sep 9th 2009, 10:57
That is all too good but from plans I've seen there were supposed to be trees incorporated in this project. What happened to them?
Christian Calleja
Sep 9th 2009, 10:56
@J.Borg
can you please explain what is there to 'keep and upgrade' in such a car park? It seems to me that if your suggestion is to be taken into consideration, the only thing in the car park that there will be to 'keep and upgrade' are the parking metres themselves.
@B Agius
"You shouldn't have a parking are that large free". If such fees are used to maintain the local council's roads, then I might agree with the argument. But then a question would naturally come into mind: "What are our taxes exactly being used for?" If such fees are used to solve the unwanted parking attendants problem, then one would ask "Are the councillors really competent enough if they cannot resolve such a small problem without taking such a drastic decision?"
Personally, I think that the parking should be free, since most of us have already paid for it through exorbitant taxes/fees/charges that we are made to pay in our everyday life.
Fenech M D
Sep 9th 2009, 10:49
Mela biex tidhol il-Domus Rumana issa trid thallas prezz oghla, u issa jigi sinjur li jaffordja jhallas biex jipparkja u jghidilna li rridu nidraw inhallsu u ghandhom jidhlu l-parking meters.
U hallina sur Borg!
X'jonqos johdilna dal-gvern? Selahna hajjin.
Joseph Galea
Sep 9th 2009, 10:47
There should be a parking fee on the basis of 'user pays.' This will offset costs to Government (and hence all taxpayers) for surfacing the place. There's no need for any 'parker' if the car park is laid out properly. All one needs is either an attendant in a booth at the entrance to collect the parking fee or, better still, just have an automatic ticket dispensing machine. Wardens can then check the parking area from time to time and 'ticket' any car that does not display the required parking ticket.
Reuben Sciberras
Sep 9th 2009, 10:45
A good number of people think that by hijacking a car park and posing as an attendant, they can do quite a good amount of money. These people are easily recognised since they do not wear the ADT tag and are not in uniform. Lately, someone decided to hijack the area near the Valletta waterfront (infront of the Chinese restaurant) demanding money from drivers. Can ADT take action please?
M.Gauci
Sep 9th 2009, 10:41
Parkers a blight here in malta. We now even have a self appointed parker in the car park in front of ITS (the Tourisim school) I went there last Saturday and there was a "boy" asking for parking fees!
Also at paradise bay, about a month ago - a parker demanded money for just sitting on a chair under an umbrella not even looking or safe keeping any car. I just kept on going without giving him money - only to see him making lovely gestures at me from the rear view mirror.
The authoritoes in Malta are quick to install speed cameras, speed ramps, fine us for bad parking etc.. etc.. and so it should be, however I find their, I dont care attitude vis-a-vis parkers disturbing.
I concur with someone who wrote about the Mdina bastions parker - he also has the cheek to ask for money upfront!
J.Borg
Sep 9th 2009, 10:24
I think it's about time that parking meters are installed in such car parks. Payment should be on how long one instends to stay. These are common things abroad, otherwise how can one keep and upgrade the area.
In UK such pay and display meters are available in suck car parks and depending on the area the charge varies.
I myself parked a car in Windsor and paid £3.40 for 5 hrs parking. In Feltham near the train station i paid £5 for a whole day.
We must get used to these thigs otherwise how are we to control irrisponsible parking and parker harassment. Afterall what guarantee are we getting from these parkers.
Also CCTV cameras are to be installed in case of accidents.
B Agius
Sep 9th 2009, 10:24
Of course there should be parking fees which, in this day and age, helps to create some much needed organisation in Malta's parking. Locals should be given some priority but you shouldn't have a parking area that large free. It should be arranged with proper parking meters - tourists are used to these innovations even if they come from Timbuktu I suspect. That will also allow the council to get rid, once and for all, of those parking attendants around Rabat - begging and annoying everyone!
Francis Cassar
Sep 9th 2009, 10:12
Good job. But in my opinion the pavements are too large. There is a lot of wasted space which could have been used to increase parking space.
A. Schembri
Sep 9th 2009, 10:08
Finally a job well done and a great relief to all especially the residents.
Mario Gauci
Sep 9th 2009, 10:05
Talking of self-appointed parkers; why is there always a parker under the Mdina bastions at peak times or during week-ends. Why should the public have to pay for a parking spot that is supposedly free. These parkers are sometimes rude and demand no less than an €1. By my rough estimation, this particular parker is making a fortune considering the number of cars that actually park there in summer, especially the evenings. What do the Mdina Local council have to say about this?
By the way, this applies to all other localities where a parker can be found such as the Mosta car park situated next to the Parish Church
Tony Gatt
Sep 9th 2009, 09:56
At last! Now I can take visitors there without wondering if the sump is going to be torn out of my car's engine.
R. Bartolo
Sep 9th 2009, 09:52
Now please can we get rid of the harassing parkers?
n.grima
Sep 9th 2009, 09:43
I quote ''by tomorrow or Friday the lines for the parking bays should be painted''.
This means that we can park without any 'assistance'. Let us hope that no self-appointed parker hijacks the place as from tomorrow! We do not need any parker at this new parking place.