We are taking the wrong decisions to solve our parking problems by introducing parking schemes for residents. A few questions here are in order.

Has parking reserved for residents been declared illegal or not by the court? Am I to understand that a court's decision can be ignored? Are owners/drivers of vehicles not licensed and therefore authorised to use our roads?

Isn't it discriminatory that 19 localities will have reserved parking for residents? What about those who live in other towns and villages? Don't they pay the same licences? Are people not free to go about their business, without anyone dictating how much time they have to spend at it?

What about tourists who come to Malta with their cars or who hire cars? Are we going to tell them they are not wanted in certain areas? Will businesses not suffer?

It should be made clear that public places like streets do not belong to anyone, including residents. Since when do we have a public thoroughfare restricted to residents? Non-residents have to find alternative ways to get somewhere. Whatever next?

I was once told that a resident wanted to put barriers at the two ends of the street he lives in to restrict entry to residents only. Another time I witnessed a driver creating traffic chaos by insisting on driving the wrong way because he lived in that particular street.

No amount of reasoning and hooting would change his mind. I left in a hurry.

Isn't it quite incredible that while the Sliema council is hell-bent on introducing the reserved parking scheme for residents as soon as possible, nothing is ever done to tackle the excessive parking restrictions, the abuse and misuse that has become rife and so many other matters?

Half the streets of Sliema will be reserved for residents, which means that only one half of the streets in that locality will be available for residents and non-residents. Isn't this going to make matters worse?

The lack of parking spaces has brought about a situation where people do whatever they can to provide parking for themselves, completely ignoring others.

Try to understand this one. The same authority which takes our money and gives us permission, licences, to use our roads and streets is proposing to restrict our use of them.

Let me yet again mention cars parked for days near us, sporting stickers issued by local councils which means that while these drivers park and stay for days on end, we cannot do the same in their localities. This is not only unfair but also downright selfish.

All those in some position of authority should start feeling very concerned. I doubt if anyone cares.