AD Naxxar Local Council candidate James Gabarretta and AD MEP candidate Mina Tolu attended yesterday’s protest against the use of the sports track at the University of Malta as a car park. The proposal goes against previous efforts by KSU to reduce car use at University.

James Gabarretta, AD spokesperson on the urban environment stated: “We need to reduce car use across Malta, especially in urban congested areas such as around University.”

“If parking were the problem, this would still not be the appropriate solution. But, parking is not the core problem here. It is rather the symptom caused by the lack of infrastructure for effective and safe use of alternative modes of transport. This is the problem caused by our over dependence on cars. This is even more apparent in the congested areas, like those around the University.”

“KSU should not be responsible for fixing the problems, but they have found themselves in a position where they have to cure the symptom. Using the track as a parking space just does not cut it. KSU had the opportunity to encourage alternative modes of transport.”

Mina Tolu concluded: “Public areas that allow for safe exercise far from cars are few in Malta. And the movement of cars to access this parking at the track poses a danger to those, including athletes and recreational runners, who use the track. We are afraid that measures like these will only further discourage people from exercising.”