Lands Parliamentary Secretary Jason Azzopardi yesterday fiercely defended the government’s decision to shift the Sunday market to the Park and Ride site in Blata l-Bajda, saying it was the “best” alternative.
Dr Azzopardi said the Park and Ride area was large enough to hold all the hawkers – who have traditionally set up in St James Ditch – and provided enough space for their stalls and vehicles.
The market had to be relocated due to the development of the new bus terminus. The stalls will move to the Park and Ride next Sunday.
“We want sellers to sell and to do so they have to be at a place which is accessible,” Dr Azzopardi said.
However, the relocation was described on Friday as “insensitive” by the Labour Party, which said the government had imposed the decision on the hawkers without consultation.
The government replied in a press conference called later in the day during which Dr Azzopardi said it had done its utmost to find a large and accessible area that could hold around 200 stalls.