Transport Minister Joe Mizzi believes that residents’ parking schemes should be abolished. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

Mayors of certain localities which already have a parking scheme for residents do not want to part with it, but others are open to discussion if alternative solutions are provided. Their position comes in the wake of a declaration by Transport Minister Joe Mizzi that residents’ parking schemes should be abolished.

His declaration was made after Transport Malta in June suspended a new residents’ parking scheme introduced by the Sliema council.

Valletta and Floriana are two councils which do not wish to give up the their residents’ parking schemes.

Valletta council said it was “seriously concerned” about the potential removal of the city’s scheme, especially in the light of a revamp of the CVA system for cars to enter the capital city.

“Valletta council understands the difficulties faced by thousands of visitors to the capital city, as well as the business community, and for this reason it is going to seek the best solution without detracting from the rights of residents to have reserved parking spaces,” the council spokesman said.

Similarly, Floriana council has promised to “fight with all means the populist attempt” to have the scheme suspended or removed.

The local council in a statement last week said it had fought for years to introduce the scheme, including countless meetings with Transport Malta where unions representing workers and businesses were also involved.

“Our goal was not only to create a balance between Floriana residents and those who visit the locality but also to encourage commuters to use alternative transport,” the council said.

Naxxar mayor Maria Deguara.

Naxxar council is also adamant about retaining the parking scheme which was suspended last month. The system had been tested on a trial period for the past months but, according to Transport Malta, it aggravated rather than mitigated the parking problem.

However, the council does not agree with this decision and will be fighting it.

Mayor Maria Deguara said the council was irked at the way with which Transport Malta had halted the system without first consulting the council.

She said the council expected Transport Malta to discuss the feedback it received since the comments received by the council were more in favour than against the measures.

In Marsa, the residents’ parking scheme is still due to start and the council has the permits in hand. However, these plans have been put on hold.

Marsa mayor Francis Debono.

Mayor Francis Debono said the issue was a “double-edged sword” because whereas, on one hand, it was in the interest of residents to have allocated parking bays, on the other they were paying the same amount of road tax as residents in other localities, making the system discriminatory.

“The serious lack of parking in several areas in Malta has been getting worse... The country should embark on a national plan and then, if anything, introduce residents’ parking in all localities. This would be the fair way of doing things,” he said.

Mr Debono said there were many disused pieces of land in several localities which could be turned into parking areas.

Ħamrun mayor Vince Bonello does not have strong views either way, after introducing special zoned parking spaces following requests from the business community.

The serious lack of parking in several areas in Malta has been getting worse

The council learnt that many business owners had changed their registered address onto Ħamrun to be able to park in these zones at all hours.

“I’m not saying I want the system to remain or that I want it to go. There are these problems which the council wants to address,” he said.

One of the first localities to introduce parking bays for residents was Pieta.

Although mayor Keith Tanti believes the parking scheme is working well, he said the council had not been approached by Transport Malta or the Transport Ministry over the scheme so it did not have a position on the matter.

“What there is so far is pure speculation. I cannot comment on a story in a newspaper. We’ll speak when there is something official,” he said.