Referendum on residential parking

It seems Cyrus Engerer, the deputy mayor of the Sliema local council, wishes to apply divorce between residents of Sliema; between car owners and non-car owners (Referendum Over Sliema Parking, February 28).

Who will be entitled to vote for or against a residential parking scheme in Sliema? Is it all residents (including minors), only family heads (fathers) or only car owners? The motion moved by Mr Engerer, to support the introduction of the scheme only if approved by the residents, is ridiculous. It means that my neighbour, who does not drive or own a car, will have a say and can prevent me from enjoying the same treatment as all other EU members where residential parking is concerned, as it is in existence all over Europe.

Residential parking also exists in Valletta, Floriana, Ħamrun, Birkirkara, San Ġwann and Paola, and even on The Strand in Sliema. Were all these schemes installed after a referendum? Is Transport Malta no longer responsible for the matter?

It was reported that “…when it was first announced, a number of people had objected to the idea”. Are these objecting people drivers, car owners or people who do not have a car? Please note that all this is happening at least 10 years after the Sliema council started studying the issue of residential parking.

I agree that the scheme should be introduced as proposed by Nikki Dimech: Half the spaces reserved for residents, allowing outsiders to use them for, say, 90 minutes, and the other 50 per cent available to non-residents.

If this system were to be applied all over Malta, the new public transport service to be introduced on July 1 would be more successful.