The Sliema council’s decision to introduce a controversial parking scheme has prompted fears that it could deal a blow to the seaside town’s popular café culture.
While several residents have welcomed the proposal as a solution to Sliema’s ever-increasing parking problem, others slammed it for driving business away.
Half of the parking bays in Sliema will be reserved for residents, who will be provided with a local council permit. Non-residents may park in these timed areas for a maximum of two hours between 8am and 9pm.
The scheme will be introduced in the Dingli Street area towards the end of this month and implemented across the whole locality within six months.
One of the locality’s busiest areas is The Strand, which is dotted with a number of coffee shops frequented by people from all ages who leisurely sip their coffee or have a chat while enjoying the view.
Charmaine Spiteri would think it twice to drive all the way from her hometown in Mellieħa to Sliema once the scheme is rolled in.
“Whenever I come to Sliema, I spend at least half a day. I have breakfast, shop around, and then have lunch,” she told The Sunday Times.
“On the other hand, I understand the residents’ concerns. However, two hours seems too little.”
Sephora Agius and Josephine Debono, from Żebbuġ and Bugibba respectively, objected to the proposed scheme even though they usually park towards Manoel Island, as they never manage to locate a vacant parking spot at the heart of Sliema.
“Car parks are quite expensive. We usually spend several hours here,” Ms Debono said. Ms Agius added: “Business will suffer a setback.”
Angele Cauchi from St Julian’s said the two-hour slot allocated for non-residents was too short to do anything.
Many people combine coffee with shopping, she said, adding that she normally spends around six hours whenever she drives to Sliema.
“The residents won’t be affected as during the day they’re out. I can’t walk properly, and the bus is very inconvenient as I have a long stretch to walk before I get to my home. This parking problem has already killed a lot of shops.”
But Sliema residents Marceline and Karm Fenech believe the new parking scheme is reasonable.
“I believe that Sliema is mainly a residential area. The problem was sparked by the planning authority’s mistake to permit the construction of blocks of apartments without a garage,” Mr Fenech said, adding that two hours was enough for a coffee or a spot of shopping.
A woman from Swieqi, who wished to remain unnamed, said the parking scheme will not impact her in any way.
“I always use car parks anyway whenever I come to Sliema. What they should do is increase the parking spots for the disabled. There are only around four spots. My mother-in-law lives in Sliema and is disabled, and her parking spot is always occupied by others who are not disabled.”
When contacted, Sliema mayor Anthony Chircop said the scheme could only help business as there is more turnover of people.
“In two hours, one would manage to complete their errands.”