The Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry has asked Transport Malta to relinquish the parking reserved for Members of Parliament during the summer and Christmas recesses, when Parliament is not in session.

"As the situation stands, the public is denied use of these spaces, leaving them empty, while drivers must circle the city in search of a parking space, creating congestion and generating unnecessary emissions to the detriment of people and historic buildings," the Chamber said.

"Reserving parking spaces for MPs even during recess periods is unacceptable given the critical situation which is severely hampering the conduct of business.  Freeing the spaces to the public during Parliament recess periods would alleviate the situation during summer and Christmas shopping periods.  Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries have drivers; therefore, their reserved spaces could be freed on a permanent basis to allow some further improvement all the year round."

The Chamber also urged  Transport Malta to implement the necessary measures to enable shoppers to commute to Valletta as conveniently as other shopping districts.