ADPD Chairperson Sandra Gauci said Saturday that in the framework of national policy, local councils should be given the main responsibility for policies on residential roads. Streets in the centres of localities can become car-free, according to the need that may vary from locality to locality. 

Residential streets should be for everyone and safe for all, both for pedestrians as well as for cyclists, she said at a press conference. Accordingly, the maximum speed on residential roads should be 30 kilometres per hour. Residential streets are not car racing tracks!

“We work to increase the areas reserved for people through pedestrianisation, so that we will have cleaner air and safer urban areas," she said.  With ADPD in the local councils, work will continue to have bicycle racks around the localities. The role of Transport Malta should be one of a regulator, primarily to supervise and assist the local councils and not to replace them in leadership of the locality. ADPD insists that the policy on tables and chairs should fall under the local councils. It must be run mainly in the interest of the residents and the local economy, and tourist operators should not be allowed to place their needs above those of the community.

ADPD in local councils serves as a shield for residents. We work to protect open spaces, the party leader said. 

"We work to promote spaces for people on the streets and facilities for those who walk, use a bicycle, the elderly, disabled people and parents with small children. We work to have roads that serve the people.  Councillors on behalf of ADPD work to make pavements serve people, not cars," she added.

The local councils should see that the pavements are free of obstacles, which often force residents, particularly the most vulnerable, to walk in the middle of a street.  Gauci concluded by showing solidarity with the ADPD candidate for Marsaskala local council, Brian Decelis, who over the past days was threatened by a commercial operator following the campaign for pavements for people, free from the clutter of tables and chairs.