I refer to John Camilleri's letter about residents' parking zones (July 24). I reside in Sliema, and most unluckily, Sliema, like Valletta, Ħamrun, Birkirkara, etc has a parking problem for residents, due, mostly to business entities in the area. Luckily, Mr Camilleri said that "this is good news!"

As for the business community I suggest these be given very special reductions for parking in approved sites on working days, say between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. (In Sliema very central parking areas exist, officially). Why should anybody who unnecessarily uses his private car to go to work or to shop, find the parking expense most disturbing?

We all pay for the cost of the car, annual road licence and insurance, the regular servicing of the car, not to mention the loss in value of the car, as well as the daily expense for petrol/diesel to run the car. Is the minimum parking donation/fee that is exhorbitant or unbearable?

When quoting Mr Justice Lino Farrugia Sacco, Mr Camilleri should have also said what the learned judge had said: "RPZ should be applied everywhere or nowhere". We are now more than ever part of Europe and in civilised Europe, residents, everywhere, are given preference and RPZ exists everywhere.

Mr Camilleri mentioned "a third grade country" - we'll end up like that if the resident is not protected. I am over 70 and must use walking sticks to get about, but luckily I can drive. Because of the parking problem in Sliema I cannot go to church at will, or take my wife shopping, or, being retired, for a drive (during the week), or visit family members in the evening, because we have no RPZ where I live.

Was there a parking problem in 1940 or 1950? Answers please, Mr Camilleri.

Finally, allow me to thank our new, young and energetic Sliema council for the attitude taken on the residents' parking zone.