The Sliema Residents’ Parking scheme will not be reinstated as from tomorrow and while the local council reserves the right to implement the plan in case of lack of agreement, discussions are still underway.

Speaking to The Malta Independent, Sliema mayor Anthony Chircop said a meeting with Parliamentary Secretary Jose Herrera, who is responsible for local councils, will take place tomorrow following a report that was presented to him. Another meeting with Transport Malta is planned.

Mr Chircop emphasised that although the residents’ parking scheme is legal and he feels it is just, at the moment they are still listening to suggestions being made. While he has publicly said that Wednesday is the deadline by when Transport Malta can present its submissions, he explained the council should not have a problem to extend the consultation period by a few more days.

However, he said that no date was given by when the scheme would be reinstated. He could therefore not understand why MUT was creating commotion. While the aim of the consultation period is to improve the scheme for the benefit of residents and locality users, he said that if it is to be reinstated, due notice will be given.

In a statement earlier today, the MUT said it received reports about plans by the Sliema Local Council to reinstate the residents’ parking scheme by tomorrow despite the suspension of the scheme by the central Government authorities.

The union was never involved in any consultation meetings with the Sliema Local Council and cannot understand how an arbitrary decision for residents parking will be reintroduced without due consultation with the Union at the detriment of educators who render a service in the Sliema community.

The union has raised the matter with the Minister for Education and the Minister for Transport and will issue directives to safeguard educators working in the various schools in Sliema if the residents’ scheme is reinstated as announced.