Ideas to solve parking problems

The trend in fiscal policy shows a preference for the replacement, reduction or retention of the prevailing rates of direct taxes by opting for indirect taxation. This will result in new taxes, licences, increased fees etc. in the future in order to offset any reduction or shortfall in government revenue resulting from direct tax, increased costs in servicing the welfare state and the higher expectations of the public at large (by way of wages, pensions , medicines, public works etc.). The alternative would be higher direct taxes and ad hoc levies, similar to what we had in place for cars, foreign travel, or less public expenditure on all fronts, that is unless we strike oil, because it is becoming increasingly evident that we cannot generate enough wealth to sustain what we have and, especially, what we expect.

We all pay an annual fee to own and drive a vehicle and we have been used to the assumption that this entitles us to park anywhere because parking and road use are lumped together as falling under the same annual fee with the exception of Valletta.

We have all agreed that the number of vehicles on our roads is very high and our road system is heavily congested and, even more so, when tourism peaks and we have a few more thousand cars on our roads. Imagine also what it will be like in the future. The authorities have identified public transport as a means to cut congestion along with other measures on similar lines as the park and ride concept but these alone are not expected to solve the issue.

Let's all admit that parking has become an acute problem practically everywhere but, especially, in areas where there is a concentration of retailing and offices like Sliema and Valletta but also Ħamrun, Birkirkara , Paola , Mosta and Victoria.

To date, we have been fortunate not to pay directly to park, with the exception of Valletta, but it becomes more likely that free parking in many crucial areas will inevitably become a luxury of days gone by. Naturally, the removal of free parking will not be welcome but, as I see it, it will soon be with us. The question is how can we limit the damage to one and all, and by this I include also the local councils and the government; and satisfy the needs of so many, whether residents, shoppers but also tradesmen and other service suppliers?

On the basis that we will all have to pay for parking in many areas affected there should be different rates applicable so that residents pay least and even less if they are pensioners.

I would charge garage owners the same rate as that levied on residents because. After all, a garage is at least equal to the space occupied by a car. This will encourage and benefit users of multi-car garages but will mean payment for those other cars or extra cars parked outside by users of multi-car garages. Residents appearing on the electoral register will be entitled to a label, to be affixed on their windscreen, identifying them as residents.

Commuters occupying a parking space on an eight-hour basis (even less, perhaps) ought to be charged the highest rate. However, there should also be free parking areas within a reasonable radius from the commercial/administrative centres. Yet, I would not go for a free park and ride situation because it will eventually be too costly to run. For a free parking facility, the motorist will pay to get to the centre that is close by either using either the normal bus service or mini-vans at the parking facility.

To encourage visitors to the commercial centres, parking needs to be available and properly managed, so I would do away with the existing free car parks on public property and have them managed properly and charge the same rates as those applicable for road parking, perhaps even more if they are bang in the centre. The funds raised can thus be used to offset the expenses incurred in the provision and management of the proposed free parking areas.

In Valletta, the system is administered through the use of CCTV cameras. In Sicily, one buys a scratch card from the local Tabacchaio and parking is monitored by wardens just as they monitor parking meters in the UK. The parking card will entail no capital expenditure for the authorities and the funds raised will be used to monitor the system strictly. This would increase the need for more wardens but I am sure this will free many parking places at most times.

As matters stand, the situation is becoming increasingly untenable and leaves one open to either being heavily fined because of some transgression or to move on to another commercial area, which is not in the interest of retailers and of the community at large.

It is ridiculous, however, for a resident to leave a parking place and not find one on returning just because it has been taken up by someone working in a shop or an office, occupying a space for some eight hours, possibly more when one takes into account also the lunchtime break.

Free parking is making no other contribution other than to chaos and frustration, so please let's come up with some ideas and let us do so quickly. As things stand, the situation will worsen and I see no other solution but to restrict car use or paying for parking. Let's not expect matters to improve by ignoring reality or by acting like the proverbial ostrich.