Proposed Sliema car park will be below street level, Independence Gardens will not be touched

Neil Camilleri

The Malta Independent 8 June 2016

A new underground car park in Sliema will be built underneath the existing playground near it-Torri and the project has nothing to do with Independence Gardens (photo above), the Sliema Local Council has clarified.

Some Sliema residents were claiming on the social media that Independence Gardens “would be destroyed to make way for a three-storey car park that would obstruct sea views and destroy trees.” One resident even said the project would affect the resident feline community.

But the Sliema council has explained that the proposal, currently at application stage, is for a 180-space car park to be built under street level at the site of the small playground (near Exiles). A new playground will replace the existing one on the same site.

It is understood that residents might have been given the wrong impression because of a technicality on the PA map server – the project boundary lines might have overlapped onto Independence Garden – but that mistake is being corrected.

The council noted that there are currently only thirty odd parking spaces near Exiles – an area that is flooded with beachgoers during the summer months. Some drivers end up parking their cars on the rocks for a lack of space. The new carpark will help alleviate the huge parking problem.

The council explained that the project was proposed to make use of Urban Improvement Funds given to the local council by the Planning Authority – the funds can only be used on traffic management/parking projects.

This newsroom was also informed that an EU standard accessible-to-all playground will be built on top of the carpark.

Furthermore, Independence Gardens will be upgraded through a new lighting system, new benches and an added number of trees. 

To obtain information about the development proposal, and to submit feedback to the Planning Authority, please go to http://www.pa.org.mt/SearchPA?Systemkey=162805&CaseFullRef=PA/01956/16

Upgrading/Embellishment/Reconstruction of Sliema public gardens

The Sliema Local Council will be carrying out upgrading and embellishment works at Independence Garden, which also includes usage of energy saving and energy efficient technology.

Reconstruction works of the Margaret Mortimer Garden (The swings near it-Torri) are also projected to take place in 2016, pending approval.

Sliema play area awarded for Accessibility

The Sliema Local Council has been awarded third place under the A+ Accessibility Scheme out of 26 participating Local Councils, for our latest project of new and accessible swings at Independence Garden.

We are proud that our efforts to ensure that the new play area is as accessible as possible have been fruitful. The design of the project was carried out by experts and we conducted comprehensive consultation to ensure best practice.

New Play Area inaugurated at Independence Gardens

The Sliema Local Council has inaugurated a new play area at Independence Gardens. The Local Council has strived to ensure that the area is as accessible as possible, and consulted with experts in the field, including NGO Breaking Limits.

The garden is already proving to be a success.

SLC would like to appeal to parents to ensure that only children with wheelchairs should use the swing which is designed precisely for this purpose. Unfortunately at times the swing is being used by lots of children at the same time - as can be seen in picture below. This is potentially dangerous for users.