Alfred Zahra
Loss of parking spaces hurting Valletta
The number of parking space within Valletta has depleted significantly in the last few months. The economic, social and cultural viability of any urban area is dependent on access that includes both private and public transport.
This loss of parking is now clearly damaging the city's vitality. The Valletta Alive Foundation calls on the government to come up with practical solutions as soon as possible. When parking for residents and the CVA were being introduced, the approach was to provide one parking space in the Park and Ride for every parking space lost within the city.
That was a correct approach. That approach seems to have been abandoned because parking spaces are being lost by the dozen and no new spaces are being provided in the Park and Ride or anywhere else.
The foundation has backed the CVA from its concept and was involved in its setting up since early days. At that time, the Minister for Infrastructure had promised that all yellow parking spaces, including those for ministries, were to be removed to create more parking spaces in Valletta. Unfortunately, today, the exact opposite is happening.
In fact, over 100 spaces for Parliament personnel have been unfairly changed from white or blue boxes to yellow ones!
Also green, blue and yellow parking spaces are increasing at the expense of white ones.
The foundation has lobbied various ministries and departments on this issue. It has been argued that the trend is for town centres to discourage parking within the town or cities so that people would switch to public transport. This is a mistaken and dangerous concept.
Towns and cities across Europe offer choice between public transport and substantial parking provision within or close to urban centres. All thriving city centres have a good supply of parking and a pricing mechanism which discourages long-term parking close to the city centre.
From feedback received by the foundation, it is clear that business in Valletta is suffering because it has become increasingly difficult to find parking. This is not, however, just about commercial activity. It is also about the social and cultural life of the capital.
The opportunity to provide ample and easily accessible parking within Valletta has now been lost with the City Gate development. Now that the decision has been taken, the government needs to act swiftly to provide alternative solutions. The foundation acknowledges that the government is investing in numerous projects in Valletta and that these projects are of central importance to the city's regeneration. On the other hand, it is pointless talking about regenerating Valletta when all decisions and actions being taken are clearly having the opposite effects.
The author is chairman of the Valletta Alive Foundation.
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Monica Muscat
Jul 7th 2010, 19:35
Not LESS PARKING but increased traffic. Not true that loss of parking is damaging Valletta.
Just look at the many new shops opening for trade.
Agreed that CVC system aim has not been reached. The promise of a fine tuning exercise is still that - a promise.
But essentially the worst off are the residents - not the business community!
As for cities in Europe - Well none are like Valletta - new logistics - different solutions.
Agreed that something must be done - is being done.The alternative to parking in Valletta. -
A new, effecient, modern Public Transport system, now in the pipeline.
Let us hope that the business community will give up the notion that in order to keep their business in Valletta, they must be able to park their car in front of their shop..... and to hell with the prospective clients! Just bus it men! A new Public Transport System will remove all excuse. Let us hope that it will not take 10 years for some people to change their mentality!
Bis-sewwa jew bid-dnewwa l-affarijiet jinhtieg jinbidlu!
Franco Farrugia
Jul 8th 2010, 07:03
'Just bus it man'. Like hell I will. Why should I do that when I can buy things from elsewhere? The best shops are no longer in Valletta, you know. And why should I go to Valletta anyway when it's all covered in noise, work and dirt? No, thanks. Will visit Valletta, yes, but only when I feel like having a good walk.
L. Dimech
Jul 7th 2010, 12:21
Not only have the parliamentarians taken up the choicest parking places but to add insult to injury, last week when the Italian President was on a state visit, nobody was even allowed to WALK through the streets he was being driven through. One elderly gentleman who wanted to get to a bookstore at the corner of Republic Street was made to go all around a couple of blocks, to then once again be stopped from going into the street anyway.
It is not the fault of those poor policemen who are made to 'police the streets' to protect the MPs' valuable parking - but someone is being quite ridiculously exaggerated in their orders without caring about consequences, and this is what angers the man in the street.
I cannot believe that restaurants and shops are not suffering the consequence of this loss of parking. Not everyone can park in Floriana and walk into Valletta to carry shopping out to their car again. And forget about Park & Ride, there's no way you can find space there before offices close.
Why don't you all put your head together and think ON BEHALF OF THE POOR TAXPAYER?
Jon Vercellono
Jul 7th 2010, 11:27
Make the Parking Garage in Floriana government owned with parking at a substantial discount. Increase the Citi Cabs from the current pitiful amount to something able to provide bookings for all who want it. Provide trains something like those at Rabat (the Tourist Train) from the Parking Garage up to Castille for Passenger Drop Off. Follow the other alternative plan calling for a Parking Area under the Floriana Pitch with trams (or moving sidewalks) following the old railway tunnel directly to the City Gate. Revitalise the tunnels under the city (if possible) for increased movement of people. If Parking Spaces are needed, Roof Over if possible the current parking garage which would increase the floorspace dramatically. Make an entrance for pedestrians to the old railway tunnels there as well. If Parking is government owned, rather than private - the revenues could be used to pay for these improvements.
Karl Consiglio
Jul 7th 2010, 11:06
Its not about parking spaces, its about too many cars on our roads.
Marvin Mizzi
Jul 7th 2010, 10:43
Also green, blue and yellow parking spaces are increasing at the expense of white ones.
I am a Valletta resident and I am not seeing green or blue parking spaces increasing on the contrary we residents are finding it increasly difficult to find a spot where to park our cars..... we arrive from work and no spots are available..... lets try to find a solution to this problem ... Valletta is a living community and by increasing the no zone areas for cars we just killing activity.