A number of trees in a small garden in Attard are going to be uprooted to make space for another parking area, but residents of the area and various other locals are fuming at the projected works.

One resident who spoke to Times of Malta said that “no information was forthcoming when inquiries were made at the local council about the project” and no PA number has been spotted on site.

A spokesperson for the Planning Authority said that the project had been approved to make way for 21 official parking bays, revising the current “informal parking” spots in the area. (The parking bays aren’t exactly informal though, as there are markings on the ground... but anyway).

The spokesperson also said that proper pedestrian paving would be introduced and that the uprooted trees will be replanted on site after the works were completed, together with an additional 10 Olea Europea plants.

Attard residents are not happy about the proposed works, and have engaged in a discussion on Facebook about the matter. Apart from the noise and dust pollution that will come with these roadworks, locals have noted that the area will only be increased by three parking spaces. One Facebook user noted that “there are currently 18 parking spaces, nine on each side. The new project will see 21 [in total]. Chopping mature trees for three more parking spaces. Pathetic.”

Apart from the fact that it’s a beautiful area in Attard, “three parking spaces do not justify the removal and incursion of such a rare green lung in the area,” said another user. Other people pointed out that the new parking spaces will require drivers to reverse onto oncoming traffic, noting that “with parallel parking you get to have a better view of oncoming traffic rather than creeping blindly and hoping for the best.”

What do you think about the current Attard sitch?