Transport Minister Joe Mizzi reiterated today that an analysis being carried out into Residents' Parking Schemes indicated that they should be abolished.

In this case other solutions would have to be explored to address the parking problem.

The minister made his comment when replying to questions at a press conference.

He denied that he has given orders to abolish residential parking and said he would not be the one to take that decision as studies were continuing by Transport Malta.

This was Mr Mizzi's second statement that such schemes should be abolished. He also made similar remarks on July 31 (See http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20130731/local/-Abolish-residents-parking-schemes-.480172 )

The studies were sparked by the controversy which led the government to suspend a parking scheme which Sliema Council had intended to introduce.

St Paul's Bay Council was also stopped from introducing residents' parking.

Valletta Mayor Alexei Dingli in a facebook reaction to the minister's comments said that residents in his locality already have a parking problem despite having a parking scheme and one could only imagine how the situation would worsen if it was removed.

He said his council had had meetings with the ministry and Transport Malta and no one had given the impression that the schemes would be removed.

Removing the schemes would be a big mistake. This, he said, would be unacceptable in Valletta.