Outdoor tables and chairs: Sliema Council asks Government to suspend new guidelines

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Sliema council wants to reintroduce residents' parking scheme

Times of Malta, 13 October 2016

The Sliema council has filed a judicial protest calling for the reintroduction of the locality’s residents parking scheme.

The scheme, introduced by the council in May 2013, was short-lived as it had to be halted with the publication of a legal notice a month later restricting it to just The Strand and Manwel Dimech Street.

In its protest, against the Transport Ministry, the Prime Minister and Transport Malta, the council called on the authorities to immediately take all opportune and necessary measures to address the parking problem in the locality, revoke the legal notice and take tangible and concrete steps without delay to issue a comprehensive parking policy.

Back when the legal notice was issued, the council said, it had been promised that this policy was to be implemented shortly.

In its protest, the council noted that a survey it had commissioned from Misco showed that the majority of residents were in favour of such a scheme.

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

Sliema Council to sue government over residents' parking scheme ban

Times of Malta 8 June 2016

Sliema Council has warned that it will file court action against the Ministry of Transport after the locality's residents' parking scheme was stopped.

The council said today that while the ministry had raised doubts about residents' support for such a scheme, a survey it had commissioned showed that 72 per cent were actually in favour. The survey was conducted by Misco.

Copies of the survey findings have been sent to the prime minister and the transport minister.

The council said the way how its parking scheme had been stopped was discriminatory.

It recalled that it started working on the parking scheme in 2009 but the scheme was suspended soon after implementation started in June 2013 when the Minister of Transport hinted that such schemes were to be revised. 

In June 2013 the Transport Ministry issued a legal notice which specifically targeted Sliema and, the council said, legally annulled its right for a parking scheme.

During meetings with the ministry, the minister had said that Transport Malta was preparing a new parking policy applicable to all localities, but nothing had happened since. 

Rather, the minister had said that the parking policy was no longer a priority and he would  await the impact of the new bus service on traffic and parking.

Notes from a traffic jam

Times of Malta 30 May 2016 http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20160530/opinion/Notes-from-a-traffic-jam.613730

If we ever needed reminding on the chaotic traffic situation in Malta, a car crash a few days ago hammered the point home. A bus and a car crashed on Tower Road, and a major congestion followed. News outlets reported the crash and drivers were alerted to avoid the area.

Anyone driving through Sliema knows that traffic congestion is steadily increasing. And as things are developing, Sliema will not be the only locality in this situation. Amid this suffocation, good governance becomes increasingly in demand.

Will the Planning Authority consider the massive traffic impacts resulting from mega-projects? Will it adopt a holistic approach when considering development proposals, or will it simply consider each proposal in isolation? Will developers continue to deceive us by understating the negative impacts of mega projects? This was the case when architects’ recent plans for development proposals in Tignè did not show other proposed developments in the area.

Developers are expanding their tentacles with new high-rise tower blocks. There are at least two such projects being proposed in Sliema – Townsquare and Fort Cambridge. The Ministry for Transport knows that consequently, thousands of extra cars will likely bring about the mother of all gridlocks, yet is it speaking up for the common good?

Will the Planning Authority adopt a holistic approach when considering development proposals, or will it simply consider each proposal in isolation?

Judging by the behaviour of the same ministry on other matters, I doubt whether the common good is high on its priorities.

For example, take public carparks. Before the 2013 general elections, Labour was vociferous against their ‘privatisation’, yet it curiously didn’t dare speak against certain parkers who were and still are making lots of money from them.

Indeed, such carparks have become a rent-seekers’ paradise. Were the common good really a priority, such carparks would be devolved to local councils and revenue from parking would be usedfor public purposes, and not to enrich some individuals.

Which takes us to residents’ parking. The recent constitutional court’s decision in favour of residents’ should bring some order provided that government does not ignore the ruling. As far as Sliema goes, the Ministry for Transport decided to discriminate against residents when it removed the residents’ parking scheme while retaining other schemes in other localities.

What will Minister Joe Mizzi do once Transport Malta decides to evaluate the 17 pending applications from local councils for resident parking schemes?

I personally believe that non-resident parking in commercial zones should be charged. This happens in many cities abroad and it can also help encourage a modal shift from private cars to public transport, walking and other alternatives. In the process, it can also help spare residents and workers from some car pollution.

The increase in traffic jams around Malta should also alert authorities ofthe rights of pedestrians and cyclists. Apart from the sorry state of many pavements, one has to keep in mind that there are various roads which are actually a hazard for pedestrians in view of lack of pavements, various obstacles and ongoing works.

Cyclists – on the other hand – face many dangers on the road, as witnessed by many accidents, including some fatal ones. Perhaps the Ministry for Transport should consider amending legislation which prohibits adult bicycle users from cycling along promenades, and instead introduce bicycle lanes to enable this.

The traffic debacle in Malta shows that there is a need for good governance and serious planning. It is true that private transport provides opportunities in terms of freedom and mobility, but at the same time it causes considerable harm in terms of pollution, accidents, gridlock and other unintended consequences.

At the moment is seems that not enough weight is given to such harm, with the consequences which are so evident for all to see.

Will the wardens system improve?

Times of Malta, 2 November 2015

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20151102/opinion/Will-the-warden-system-improve.590611

Some months ago, Local Councils Parliamentary Secretary Stefan Buontempo said that the warden system had become a ‘ticket-issuing machine’ which required change.

In his words, government’s reform in the sector “will transform wardens from Gestapo officers hiding behind trees ready to suck the money out of citizens’ pockets into friends of our community”. Consequently the new system would be credible, sustainable and would take on a more civil and educational role.

Through the new system, a government agency will regulate the sector and will procure warden services from private operators at a fixed price.

Will this reform produce a better enforcement system?

I for one am not convinced that a centralised agency under the control of central government is the best way forward. True, such an agency may benefit from economies of scale, but on the other hand it may add another layer of bureaucracy to a system which is already characterised by too much red tape and too little transparency and effective results.

Perhaps it would have been better to have a system which gives more power to local councils, which, after all, are more in touch with their localities’ immediate needs.

Questions have also been raised on the method of appointment of the head of the new government agency. It is a political one on the basis of trust, and not on merit through an open, public call for applications.

I do acknowledge that certain positions within the public sector require persons of trust. But I fail to see how the head of an enforcement agency should be handpicked by the respective minister (or prime minister).

Consequently, will the head be loyal to the political whims of his political masters? Will this result in uneven enforcement, for example when elections are approaching?

Notwithstanding the issues I mentioned above, I wish to refer to certain matters which I hope will be tackled by the new agency.

Such a centralised agency may benefit from economies of scale, but on the other hand it may add another layer of bureaucracy

First, I hope that wardens take action against heavy polluters. These include many old cars, certain delivery vans, certain minibuses and coaches, a good deal of construction trucks and other vehicles. They are not only producing pollution levels which should not be tolerated in any self-respecting society but, in the case of commercial vehicles, they are a source of unfair competition to others. For example, in the waste collection sector, some companies are using new trucks which produce minimal pollution, whilst others are using trucks which are only fit for scrapping.

Second, wardens should enforce on bus lanes. I recently learned that only 12 tickets were issued on the Sliema-Gzira one. Is this right, when cowboy drivers frequently swerve into the bus lane at high speed, to the danger of pedestrians and to the frustration of other drivers who follow regulations?

Third, wardens should take immediate action against construction trucks blocking roads without a local council permit, cars parked abusively on pavements, public spaces and other areas for a length of time. I do agree that at times drivers have no choice but to park temporarily in non-parking spaces in the case of deliveries, transportation of kids or elderly persons, and so forth, but this is a far cry from those who permanently park their cars in public areas such as disability ramps and beaches.

In this regard, it is imperative that wardens operate around the clock. As things stand, it is more likely to see wardens operating during office hours, but everyone knows that enforcement is required at all times of the day, including weekends, when local council offices are closed.

Finally, Malta’s enforcement system should make more use of green wardens. Currently, they are too costly for cash-stripped local councils, and hence their deployment is minimal. No wonder that dog pooh, rubbish bags and other unsightly waste feature prominently in various parts of the country.

I agree with Buontempo that wardens have an important educational role. This can help increase a sense of civic pride and respect. But I also wish to remind him that when front seatbelt legislation was introduced, it was the fining system which made it work. The same cannot be said for seatbelts at rear seats.

Sliema discriminated in residents' parking schemes

Sliema council insists locality should be allowed residents' parking scheme

Times of Malta
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20150314/local/sliema-council-insists-locality-should-be-allowed-residents-parking-scheme.559842




The Sliema council today expressed its "extreme disappointment" that 18 months of discussions for the introduction of a residents’ parking scheme had fallen through and appealed for something to be done about the situation.

Addressing a news conference this morning, mayor Anthony Chircop recalled that the council had attempted to introduce a residents’ parking scheme in 2012 but was stopped by the authorities following an outcry of complaints by the Malta Union of Teachers and shop owners.

The council, he said, insisted that said locality would benefit from such a scheme which was also implemented in other localities.

Now, he said, the parking problem has become worse, development had increased and more people were visiting the community.

He noted that, in June 2013, the council was surprised with a legal notice prohibiting such a scheme specifically in Sliema.

Following that, Mr Chircop said, the council embarked on discussions with the Transport Minister and Transport Malta and was told that the government was seeking to introduce a holistic scheme for the whole of Malta.

The council was informed last September that the study was concluded and was going to be presented to Cabinet.

But, a month ago, it was informed that scheme was to be put on hold to study the impact of public transport now that there was a new operator.

The council, Mr Chircop said, was are extremely disappointed that everything was being put on hold after 18 months of discussions and appealed for something to be done about the situation.

Since a similar scheme existed in other localities, he said, Sliema should not be an exception.

Parking Scheme in Sliema remains suspended by Government

Sliema is still being denied a parking scheme by the Government. The scheme, which was in line with legal requirements, was abruptly suspended by the Government when it was in its trial period. In the meantime Sliema is being treated differently from other localities which had approved parking schemes in previous years.

More can be seen and read at


http://tvm.com.mt/news/2013/07/sliema-local-council-call-for-urgent-discussions-with-transport-minister/

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20130727/local/sliema-council-wants-to-be-heard-on-parking-scheme.479714

http://www.maltarightnow.com/?module=news&at=Il-Kunsill+Lokali+ta%27+Tas-Sliema+injorat+mill-Gvern&t=a&aid=99849350&cid=19

Council disputes minister's statement on parking scheme

Sunday, June 23, 2013, 08:15
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20130623/local/council-disputes-ministers-statement-on-parking-scheme.474948

Sliema Council has denied that that the locality's parking scheme was introduced on the basis of a legal notice issued on the eve of the general election, or that there was no trial period.

Both claims were made in parliament last week by Transport Minister Joe Mizzi, when replying to a parliamentary question.In a statement today, the council said that Legal Notice 200 of 2009 was actually enacted in 2009, and not on the eve of the General Election, in order to regularize the position of all Local Councils which had Transport Malta permits for the implementation of timed controlled parking schemes within their respective localities. Sliema Local Council started to implement this scheme, for a trial period of six months, according to this Legal Notice, in January 2013.

"Accordingly, the Sliema Local Council maintains that the Cabinet effectively suspended the trial period of the controlled timed parking scheme which is regulated by LN 200 of 2009. The Council also maintains that, as such, this suspension is ultra vires, in that the mentioned Legal Notice is still in force," the council said.

"The trial period was being implemented in order to study the implementation of the system on the ground, receive feedback from the various stakeholders involved, and amend the system as necessary so that it is updated to the new circumstances."

Sliema parking scheme 'to be postponed for not more than three weeks' - council

The Times, 24 May 2013
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20130524/local/sliema.471081

The Sliema council said today it was willing to postpone the enforcement of its controlled parking scheme for not more than another three weeks, within which Transport Malta was being invited to make proposals for the scheme's improvement.

In a statement, the council said it disagreed with Cabinet’s decision to suspend the implementation of the trial period of the scheme and had reservations about the way the scheme was suspended.

TM had suspended the scheme a week after it was introduced on the strength of a Cabinet decision. The council was asked to rethink the scheme and revisit its plans.

The council said it only went ahead with the scheme after it obtained all the necessary permits from Transport Malta. Prior to the implementation, the council was in constant communication with TM officials. Authority officials also chipped in with their advice.

The council said while its scheme was suspended, similar ones in other localities were not.

The council said it sent a preliminary report on the improvement of the traffic and parking situation in Sliema to Transport Minister Joe Mizzi and Councils Parliamentary Secretary Jose Herrera.

Will other parking schemes be suspended?

So the Government has decided to suspend the timed parking scheme in Sliema. This scheme was fully compliant with legislation and was no different from parking schemes in other localities.

The scheme has been discussed within the Sliema Local Council, also including public meetings, since 2003 and has long been approved by the Authorities. Councillors from all three parties unanimously agreed on the scheme. Being in 4 local councils since 2003, I can vouch for this.

Following Government's quick decision to suspend the scheme, the inevitable comes to mind. Will schemes in other localities be suspended, too? Are some localities more equal than others?

The fact that public transport has been the cinderella of social policy for so long does not help things.

Prime Minister stops Sliema residential parking zone

"The parking scheme in Sliema was no different from other localities" Michael Briguglio.

From Malta Today
7th May 2013
http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/en/newsdetails/news/national/Prime-Minister-stops-Sliema-residential-parking-zone-20130507


The Office of the Prime Minister has intervened to suspend the Sliema local council's residential parking zone, which only started in recent weeks.

The suspension followed the industrial action ordered by the Malta Union of Teachers (MUT) which ordered teachers working in Sliema to report for work an hour late. This morning the union said that the action was "successful," with the Forum Unions Maltin backing the action ordered by MUT.

In a statement, the OPM said it was suspending the residential parking system with immediate effect, claiming it was "introduced unilaterally without a trial period" and that it was causing problems for commuters.

The OPM said transport minister Joe Mizzi and local councils parliamentary secretary José Herrera will be meeting the Sliema local council and other business organisations to discuss the matter.

"A comprehensive plan for various parking areas across the island is in the offing as part of government's work to facilitate traffic and transport issues, to aid residents and the commercial community in various towns," the government said.

Speaking to MaltaToday, Alternattiva Demokratika's councillor, Michael Briguglio said that the parking scheme in Sliema was no different from other localities.

"The parking scheme in Sliema is not different to other schemes found in other localities, therefore if the government is consistent it should suspend the scheme in other localities too."

While admitting that he understands that the scheme could create problems for teachers and students, Briguglio said that the scheme was in line with other similar schemes found elsewhere.

Moreover, the experienced AD councillor said that the scheme had been approved years ago and was enforced recently.

"The scheme has been discussed by the council since 2003 and there has always been a cross-party agreement on the scheme, with councillors from all three parties unanimously agreeing on the scheme."

Through the scheme, half the parking bays in Sliema have become timed between 8am and 9pm and non-residents will not be able to occupy the same bay for more than two hours. Once the two hours were over, non-residents would have to move their car and would not be able to return to the same spot before another hour would have passed.

Read more at
http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/en/newsdetails/news/national/Prime-Minister-stops-Sliema-residential-parking-zone-20130507