Concern over traffic chaos as Bay Street opens

29 Nov. - 5 Dec. 2000

By Miriam Dunn

Although the opening of the multi-million liri Bay Street complex last weekend was deemed a huge success on the business scene, there was little doubt that traffic problems caused by visitors trying to park there caused chaos in the area.

The issue has triggered concern among traders and residents who are based in a locality that is already notorious for parking problems. Their fear is that the situation can only worsen with the approaching festive season.

The Bay Street complex, which has 65 commercial outlets spread over 48,000 metres, was permitted to open without providing parking at the centre itself, but instead, had to make a contribution to the Commuted Parking Payment Scheme.

It is believed that Bay Street has contributed some Lm300,000 towards the scheme, whose funds are kept in trust by the Planning Authority, to be used for projects to tackle traffic and parking problems on a regional basis, but only once enough money has been accrued.

Meanwhile, traders have shown concern that developments contributing to the scheme are being allowed to open before parking problems are solved. Entrepreneurs in the area, who are worried that the increased traffic problems will jeopardise their business, also expressed scepticism about how much money will have to be collected to provide parking facilities.

In fact, a spokesman for the PA admitted yesterday that although the total funds collected so far amount to about Lm1 million, this relates to developments for the whole island.

A spokesman for the Bay Street project pointed out that the development was providing 1,000 parking places at the Luxol Grounds, which operates in conjunction with a shuttle service to the shopping centre. But he admitted that the Maltese public still needed to adapt to the idea of using such a scheme.

"Unfortunately, people still need to get used to the idea," he said. "Sadly, much of the grounds was empty over the weekend, even though we have advertised the scheme. We hope the Maltese will become used to the way that it works, realise its benefits and begin using it."

Swieqi Mayor Paul Abela supported the theory that the parking problems were unlikely to improve unless people become used to using the park and ride service.

"The traffic bottlenecks because drivers roam around searching for parking places which are simply not there," he said.

Mr Abela also pointed out, however, that the local council has submitted plans that should help alleviate traffic problems for residents. These include making the road leading to the tunnels from Lourdes Lane one way and also closing the hill down to Bay Street from St Rita’s Chapel.

The Mayor of St Julians, Peter Bonello, said he planned to meet with the Police to look at ways of minimising traffic problems over Christmas.

Admitting that the problem was likely to increase with the festive season approaching, he added that the local council had met with Parliamentary Secretary George Pullicino, in a bid to earmark a site for a car park in the area.

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