Simon Galea, St Paul’s Bay
A chronic parking problem
Lack of parking space is an issue of great concern for residents of St Paul’s Bay, Qawra and Buġibba. Permanent residents contribute towards this problem but the major factor causing such a nightmare is visitors. Available parking spaces can only cater for a fraction of the demand brought about by seasonal residents, tourists and diners.
Increasing the number of parking spaces is not the ultimate solution. The use of private cars should be discouraged while a number of initiatives towards the use of alternative forms of transport should be in place. On the other hand it is also the responsibility of the relevant authorities to come up with a proper solution to the parking problem. In other words both local and national government should take a holistic approach towards this issue.
Parking issue seen as challenge by most
The issue of parking is seen as a challenge for most. I personally consider this an opportunity. A number of existing open-air parking areas can be transformed into multi-storey underground car parks while incorporating recreational open spaces at street level. A reservoir underlying the same car park will serve as a rain water catchment area where the water will be utilised for landscaping purposes. Such a project can be self financed through a number of options including the sale of a number of garages at one reserved level. Less polluting vehicles such as electric cars or motorcycles will be provided with reserved parking slots.
Finally open spaces which are presently being taken up as car parks will be transformed into landscaped areas including child and sport facilities such as swings and tennis courts or five-a-side football pitches for the benefit of both locals and tourists.
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j dough
Feb 23rd, 11:26
i think this issue does not concern these areas alone.
it is prevalent throughout malta. nowhere to park during the day in busy centres(valletta, sliema, hamrun, paola etc) and nowhere to park in the evening when you return home (m'scala) with the mushrooming of apartment blocks and numbers of cars increasing, it is no longer possible to park in front of your home, often enough not even in your street....
Jenilee Agius
Feb 22nd, 18:11
You are right Simon, many do complain about parking problems in these areas. We require a local council candidate just like you, who is ambitious and ready to do something about the problems which locals face. Having you as one of the members of the local council is highly beneficial. Being the only candidate for the AD on my district, you have my full support for the coming local council elections on the 10th of March. Good Luck!
Charles Micallef
Feb 22nd, 14:46
Simon Galea you are so right!......Parking in this area has never been given any thoughts let alone priority by both the central government nor by the local council, and the chronic defecit in the number of parking bays / areas along with the poor standards of roads, pavements and general upkeep in this once thriving community is the result of electing a mayor simply because of her political connections and not because of her management capabilities or esperience to run the second largest council in Malta and Gozo.
The thousands of people who over the years have been complaining now have the choice of voting the same council and spend the next three years writing to the Times or vote in a PL council who is offering mature candidates with years of experience in the various fields required to run an effecient council and lift the profile of St Paul's Bay and districts once again.
Mr phil sam
Feb 22nd, 12:16
Simon, great ideas.But alas dreams have a habit of not coming true