Chamber denies ‘personal’ interest in Valletta parking spaces

In reply to Transport Minister Austin Gatt, the Malta Chamber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry said it regretted that Gatt viewed the 22 parking space left empty for a number of weeks as irrelevant.

“The logic of reserving parking spaces for members of parliament when parliament is in recess defies logic itself,” the Chamber said.

By systematically removing parking in Valletta, without providing the necessary alternatives, entering Valletta has become a nightmare, the Chamber said. “Furthermore, it is quite obvious to anyone who enters Valletta on a regular basis that the 3,000 spaces mentioned by the Minister are clearly not sufficient.”

It added that freeing up as many spaces as possible, however small the number, is very relevant.

The Chamber also dismissed comments made by Gatt that the Chamber was more interested in the parking spaces because their own offices were located in front of the spaces.

It said that its proposal was based on the importance of implementing the necessary measures to enable shoppers to commute to Valletta as conveniently as is physically possible.

“The business community is being asked to make many sacrifices for the duration of the works on City Gate and other areas in Valletta. This would have been a perfect opportunity to demonstrate solidarity with all business and shop owners in Valletta.”

The Chamber also stated that it was not requesting any reserved parking spaces nor does it intend to do so in the future.