I can assure Margaret Farrugia (February 27) that the Sliema local council has seriously considered the impact of the residents’ parking scheme for many years now. In fact this proposal was studied for over eight years. As a new council elected a year ago, we felt that it was about time it was taken off the shelf and implemented for the benefit of our residents.

Initially the plan was to have as much as 75 per cent of every street in Sliema reserved for residents. However we felt that this would have a negative impact on non-residents.

The parking scheme will be introduced gradually over a six-month period. We will be constantly monitoring the situation and making sure that first and foremost, this scheme is working for our residents. We believe that it is currently the best way forward to allow non-residents to park in 50 per cent of every street.

There is a misconception that non-residents parking in the non-residential parking bays need to move their cars every two hours. This is definitely not the case, as a non-resident can park in such bays for an unlimited period of time.

I do hope that this explanation does answer the reader’s questions. Should she wish a more in-depth explanation, she is welcome to contact me.