Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association considers the legal notice issued for controlled parking schemes as ill-thought. It is also ill-timed considering the economic downturn being experienced at present as undoubtedly it will have a seriously negative effect on tourists’ mobility, on local businesses including restaurants and hotels, and their investments

Whilst the needs of residents must be given due consideration, such a blanket approach will surely not result in alleviating parking problems but will undoubtedly worsen conditions for residents, local non-residents and tourists at large. The introduction of residents’ parking zones on such a major scale will also negatively impact businesses in the area and actually worsen the great lack of parking facilities in most areas. The timings adopted for most areas are unreasonable and will certainly create problems for motorists who need to visit a particular area for whatever reason.

Residents themselves have expressed serious concerns with regards to the availability of parking space for their visiting family and friends, who too would have to face unnecessary problems to park their cars within normal walking distance.

MHRA calls upon Government to immediately intervene by withdrawing this insensitive legislation, until a sound and holistic plan is drawn up for each particular area. This must be preceded by first addressing the great lack of parking facilities already experienced in most areas and the creation of sufficient parking space to cater for every areas’ needs, not only in terms of residents but also based on the business and tourist requirements of each location. Only following such a thoughtful and constructive approach matched by remedial action can such far sweeping parking legislation ever be considered.

We trust that common sense will prevail and that rather than putting the cart before the horse, the requirements of us all as a nation will be given the importance they truly deserve. Such legislation is not only counter-productive on a national level, but it also directly harms those it is meant to protect.

Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association

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