Sliema mayor Anthony Chircop yesterday told The Malta Independent that the local council had been contacted by Transport Malta around a month ago and asked their opinion on allowing public transport to flow through Bisazza Street, Sliema, again.

The mayor then discussed the possibility of opening up the street with the other councillors, who together believe that the situation should remain as it is, he said.

But, when contacted, the Ministry for Transport said that they are currently not actively considering opening up Bisazza Street to vehicles. This contrasts sharply with what the mayor said, and shopkeepers and Sliema residents now await developments.

Pedestrianisation reduced profits

The Malta Independent contacted several shopkeepers to discuss the issue.

“I’m making the same amount in euros as I had made in Maltese lira prior to the pedestrianisation of the street,” said Mr Carlo Magri, owner of the San Carlo Confectionary. “If I had made Lm400 a week before the street became a pedestrian-only zone, as an example, I’m now making €400,” he said.

Several shop owners argued that removing vehicular traffic, as well as the bus route from the equation, has left Bisazza Street empty. “The buses used to drop thousands of tourists per day during the summer months,” one shop owner said.

The street is a cemetery in winter, and where before a shop going on sale would be scooped up by a new owner within days, a number of abandoned and closed shops have appeared on the street, owners said.

“Originally we were told that the street would turn pedestrian temporarily, however this seems to have become a permanent move,” a number of shop owners told this paper.

Fushia clothing store owner Joe Borg complained about traffic being diverted to Tigne Point. “I see nothing wrong with the government trying to help those who invested their money in a new project, but you can’t try and kill off the old shopping centre in order for the new one to flourish,” he said.

The mayor told this paper that Transport Malta asked the council if it held any objection to holding a meeting with all stakeholders involved on the issue, which the council did not. Should Transport Malta hold a meeting however, the council requested that it be present in order to air its views.

Sliema Councillor Michael Briguglio argued that the pedestrian only zone is one of the few places in Sliema where families can go, relax, and walk in peace without the hustle and bustle of traffic.

Bisazza Street became a pedestrian only zone in 2011.