Over the last 15 years, I have visited the Three Cities area on an almost daily basis for a variety of reasons, and like everywhere else parking is always a problem.

I go regularly to the Grand Harbour Marina which for a while had a security guard at the arched entrance who informed you that it was a private road and it was he who decided who to allow in; now there is no guard.

On Monday 14 September, I went to the marina to deliver two small but heavy doors to a yacht on pontoon B and parked in one of the places, as does everybody else, which admittedly has double yellow lines. I left a note on the dashboard with the time I parked, where I was and my mobile number. I even spoke to the marina staff.

On my return a few minutes later, I found a parking ticket.

Several things trouble me; firstly, is this still a private road? But most of all was the fact that Warden 440 had to drive past, on the way in and out, the local bar known as The Old City Pub (the one involved the electricity meter scandal as reported by this newspaper). For the last year or so, this pub has occupied a minimum of three parking spaces, sometimes four, with umbrellas sunk into the road and tables and chairs, and of course the double parked vehicles for hours on end.

I am surprised that this blatant breaking of the law hasn't been brought to the attention of Birgu mayor Mr Boxall, who as everybody knows does an excellent job.

Maybe we got the ticket because it was registered to a lady owner not from that area. I am now waiting wait to know the date when my case comes up before the Tribunal. I will them put on my shirt, jacket and tie, plead not guilty and show the tribunal a copy of the same pictures that I attach to this letter - wish me luck. But of course this is Malta; different rules are applied differently to different people.

David Griffin

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