A chronic parking problem

Lack of parking space is an issue of great concern for residents of St Paul’s Bay, Qawra and Buġibba. Permanent residents contribute towards this problem but the major factor causing such a nightmare is visitors. Available parking spaces can only cater for a fraction of the demand brought about by seasonal residents, tourists and diners.

Increasing the number of parking spaces is not the ultimate solution. The use of private cars should be discouraged while a number of initiatives towards the use of alternative forms of transport should be in place. On the other hand it is also the responsibility of the relevant authorities to come up with a proper solution to the parking problem. In other words both local and national government should take a holistic approach towards this issue.

The issue of parking is seen as a challenge for most. I personally consider this an opportunity. A number of existing open-air parking areas can be transformed into multi-storey underground car parks while incorporating recreational open spaces at street level. A reservoir underlying the same car park will serve as a rain water catchment area where the water will be utilised for landscaping purposes. Such a project can be self financed through a number of options including the sale of a number of garages at one reserved level. Less polluting vehicles such as electric cars or motorcycles will be provided with reserved parking slots.

Finally open spaces which are presently being taken up as car parks will be transformed into landscaped areas including child and sport facilities such as swings and tennis courts or five-a-side football pitches for the benefit of both locals and tourists.

Greener forms of activities for tourists
Long promenades and country lanes incorporating a number of places of interest pose a great cycling potential for the locality of St Paul’s Bay. Apart from the environmental and health benefits, cycling is in itself a niche for ecotourism.

While so many activities are promoted among the visiting tourists, this niche is barely explored. A half day cycling tour can incorporate visits to a number of sites due to the close proximity to one another. The locality hosts historical sites, nature reserves (such as Simar), beaches and rural areas rich in agriculture.

An initiative getting all stakeholders together is what’s missing and the local council should seriously consider adopting this role. Diversifying from mass tourism to ecotourism is healthy both for the economy and for the environment. Greener forms of touristic activities minimise the negative impact on the environment and generate more money.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Alternattiva/message/7756

Ralph Cassar

Ralph Cassar

Improving one’s locality (1)

Having contributed to my community as an Alternattiva Demokratika local councillor for nine years has taught me one important thing – to insist on my priorities and proposals but also to seek consensus and agreement and where this is not possible to agree to disagree and move on.

These past five years, my second term as councillor, did not start very well. There were proposals to turn open spaces and gardens into car parks, which, thankfully, after lots of pressure and discussion, were abandoned.

Irresponsible spending before the 2007 council election meant that the council was stuck with a deficit that conditioned what councillors could propose and achieve. I still managed to garner support for various proposals – from promoting a policy of planting local species of trees, installing play equipment in gardens, promoting and reminding residents of recycling schemes, working on educational courses and sports and cultural events and upgrading public spaces. I also kept up the pressure over overdevelopment after the government,in 2006, condemned whole areas that had just settled down to become construction zones once again.

Putting the issue of the uncontrolled activities in quarries back on the council’s agenda despite resistance and spokes in the wheels is one achievement of which I am very proud. I am also very proud of promoting close contacts and cooperation with local organisations,including our band club. The professionalism of their performances is something we Attard residents are very proud of.

Our community is constantly developing and there will always be issues which need tackling. My main priorities, should I be re-elected come March 10, will be to seek consensus and agreement on a mobility plan for Attard, with an emphasis on pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly streets and pressing for continous improvement in public transport. I will continue my attempts at sourcing funding for the restoration of the unique railway embankment, ensure that my recent proposals for a new public library are followed through and promote campaigns about recycling, energy efficiency and overdevelopment.