This is a response to the letter sent by Mr. Francis Buhagiar (Some citizens are more citizens than others, TMIS 13 October) regarding Safi local council's decision to paint a yellow box outside a gate in Triq l-Ibragg, Hal Safi.

Mr Buhagiar stated that Hal Safi local council took the decision to remove a parking space in this street. The wishes to clarify that in no way does it wish to reduce the number of parking spaces in the area, but this yellow box is there out of necessity. The council also wishes to advise Mr Buhagiar of the meaning of a yellow box before claiming that parking spaces are being taken away from the residents.

Mr Buhagiar also stated that he went to complain to the council about the work when he saw our workmen about to do the job on the instruction of the local council. What he failed to mention is that a particular resident threw paint – the property of the council – over one of the workers, whilst the paint used to complete the road marking was removed over the following days by a certain individual.

Mr Buhagiar also made it seem that there is a severe parking problem in the street. While the council faces this issue in other streets in the locality, such an issue has not been brought to its attention with regard to this particular street. The photograph taken by Mr Buhagiar clearly shows the ‘parking problem’ in the street – with all the empty spaces still available. He has a choice of approximately 25 parking spaces in this street, all of which we would suggest be used before this particular yellow bay, which is to provide access for pushchairs/wheelchairs for those who wish to use a public footpath near this particular spot. The owner of the property to which Mr Buhagiar refers has the right to enter his property and the council should not have to re-do work that had been authorised, neither do its workers deserve to be approached by irate people.

Mr Buhagiar, and whoever decided to remove the markings carried out in the bay by the council, would do himself a favour by reading Subsidiary Legislation 65.05, Traffic Signs and Carriageway Markings Regulation the next time, before commenting.

 

Anthony Attard

Executive Secretary

Hal Safi Local Council