To park or not to park, that is the question for many drivers when they arrive in Valletta or Sliema and are faced with resident parking schemes. Waylon Johnston takes to the streets to find out what motorists think about the issue.
Photos: Matthew MirabelliBenny Grima, 59, from Naxxar
“I am here every day. I agree with different coloured parking spots as I know where to park but in the morning it is a bit of a problem. I park outside Valletta and have always found space.
“Between 5.30pm and 6pm, when I come to play music in restaurants in the capital, I have always found a place to park.
“I don’t get charged because the parking scheme (CVA) stops at 5.30pm.”
Joe Farrugia, 62, from Birżebbuġa
“The parking problem is big everywhere. Today, I had an errand to run in Sliema but it was hopeless and I had to turn back to Valletta because I found nowhere to park.
“I came to Valletta and, luckily, found a parking spot because a man was leaving.
“Otherwise, it would have been another problem.”
Graziella Micallef, 47, from Fgura
“I often come to Valletta to shop and do not agree with the scheme even though there are car parks available.”
Ms Micallef lives in the centre of Fgura, which she said was a problem for parking.
She said that unlike residents in Sliema and Valletta, no one took notice of people living in Fgura.
Carmen Mifsud, 65, from Rabat
“It does not really affect me because we come to Valletta by bus and that is the best option because you don’t find parking here.”
René Mifsud, 68, from Rabat
“I would prefer to go to Valletta in my car to avoid having to carry all my shopping bags to the bus stop, especially in summer.
“In winter, you don’t really bother but I would prefer to come by car as in the old days.
“It’s true we face a bigger traffic problem but I still prefer my car. They should sort something out for residents and shoppers.”
Gordon Schembri, 54, from St Julian’s
“I think there are a bit too many reserved spaces for the residents actually. Residents park in the white boxes and green ones are empty most of the time.
“Something has to be done. I work in Valletta, so it’s a problem every day to find a parking space. It’s hell, really.
“Places like Sliema will have the same problem if the car parks are not increased. They have to find a solution.”
Lindsey Garrett, 27, from Fgura
“I agree with it because where I live there is a big parking problem in Żabbar Road.
“There is a problem because of shops and people parking there to shop, so if there was a parking scheme it would be better.”
Diane Galea, 32, from Żejtun
“I believe that for a resident arriving home and not finding parking it is a big problem but for a person going somewhere and finding reserved spacing it is a big drawback, especially since I work in Valletta.
“I always have to plan an hour in advance to find parking.”
The Valletta local council is worried about Transport Minister Joe Mizzi’s intention to remove residents’ exclusive parking rights in Valletta and other localities.
The council said his comments stood in stark contrast to the positive meeting they had with him in May when they had agreed that a study on the situation was needed. The council added that it wanted to come up with the best possible solution to the problem.