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James Debono
Two government ministries have called MaltaToday’s revelations on parking fees for Sliema residents a “blatant lie” despite the existence of this proposal in the Qui-Si-Sana development brief for a proposed resident parking zone (RPZ) in Sliema.
The ministries for the environment, and for urban development and roads, are insisting their position against the creation of paid parking is in line with the development brief, which has been approved by both the government and the Malta Environment and Planning Authority.
But last week this newspaper reported how an RPZ tracing most Sliema roads in an area stretching from Dingli street to Qui-Si-Sana, would impose a parking fee for households with three or more cars.
The fee, Lm100 for each car yearly, was proposed during a meeting with the Sliema local council by C&F Contractors.
The brief states that the developer is expected to manage the parking scheme although the local council is expected to finance this scheme after the first three years, through a public commuted car payment scheme.
After three years, the RPZ should indicate how the council will generate revenue for its ongoing administration, including “charging for short-stay parking fines and/or nominal annual fees to residents joining the scheme.”
Any proposals for the RPZ should also “specify estimation of any nominal annual fee for residents participating in the RPZ.”
A spokesperson for the environment minister George Pullicino has insisted the brief does not make it a requirement for a nominal fee to be charged, but mentions it as a possibility: “it has been made amply clear that it is the view of both government and the local council that no charge is to be introduced for residents, not even a nominal one.”
The ministry insists the introduction of a RPZ requires the submission of an application by the council to the transport authority (ADT): “the local council has already declared its intention of not introducing fees for residents for use of the RPZ. This is the best guarantee that residents have that no such fees will be introduced in the future.”
But the Sliema council has now applied with the ADT to administer a resident’s parking scheme, independently of the Qui-Si-Sana car park developer.
Pullicino’s ministry is insisting the RPZ can only be fully effective, if adequate car parks are provided. Sliema Green party councillor Michael Briguglio says the RPZ should not be in any way connected to the development of the Qui-Si-Sana car park.
“The scheme should be entrusted to the council to ensure residents and non-residents will be able to park for free on Sliema’s roads in a well-managed system. Should the RPZ be under the developer’s responsibility as proposed in the development brief, its sole aim would be that of encouraging people to use the car park to maximise the developer’s profits.”
The ministry however claims an RPZ without off-street parking will simply shift the problem of lack of parking in one area to an adjacent area where no RPZ is provided.
jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt
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