I refer to Robert Arrigo’s article entitled Local Councils’ Shortcomings (TMID, 10 August).

I was astounded and surprised by Robert Arrigo’s assertions that double yellow lines have to be authorised by the ADT. The honourable Member of Parliament should know that, according to paragraph 77 of the Motor Vehicles Regulations, this does not fall within the authority of the ADT. It further comes to me as a surprise that Minister Jesmond Mugliett is blissfully ignorant of this. This transpired from a Parliamentary Question put by the said Robert Arrigo that was answered by the Minister on 19 February. The Minister and Mr Arrigo should know that this is primarily a police matter. The lines were suggested by the local police following a consultation and on-the-spot inspection.

As to the decision taken to place double yellow lines on Emanuel Galizia Street, Ta’Xbiex, Robert Arrigo should have tried to obtain an explanation from my local council before going to the press. Here I take the opportunity to invite him to the council in order to explain to him the position of these double yellow lines and I am sure he will appreciate the effort made by my council to try to reconciliate the needs of all the residents in that street.

As Mr Arrigo is aware, the ADT does not recommend parking in this street, so surely I cannot be accused of reducing parking space.

If he fails to accept my invitation, I will take it to mean that he is retracting everything he wrote in the above-mentioned article regarding Ta’Xbiex local council.

This letter is being sent without any prejudice to any other legal action that I may take against Robert Arrigo.

Antoinette Vassallo

Ta’ Xbiex local council mayor