Cospicua residents are worried that the Dock 1 Project would be eating away at their parking slots reducing these from around 80 to a mere 12.

Resident Edward Falzon addressed a news conference on behalf of the resident of ir-Regatta and il-Genduz streets this morning.

He said that during a meeting he had with the Grand Harbour Rehabilitation Corporation consortium yesterday, they confirmed that parking was being reduced as the proposal was to pedestrianise Pjazza Paolino Vassalli and stretches of the front.

Although the consortium sympathised with the residents they said their plans were approved by both the planning authority and the local council.

Mr Falzon said that his proposal was to narrow existing pavements and create perpendicular, rather than parallel, parking.

He said that although resident were happy about the project, they were worried about this issue. For although the project made a provision for paid parking at the existing football ground, residents could not afford to pay for parking.

All the residents wanted, he said, was for the consortium and the council to meet them to discuss plans.

Residents were also worried at the slow pace of the project and the dangers it was creating.

A woman died in hospital some days ago after falling in the area.