Sliema Promenade Should Become One Way And Pedestrianised, Mayor Proposes In New Vision
John Pillow, the mayor of Sliema, has a vision for a more pedestrian and resident-friendly Sliema – and it could include turning the Sliema Promenade one way.
Pillow believes that less cars in Sliema will make it a better place to live, work, and visit.
He has grand ideas, but as often happens to local councils, he does not have the necessary resources to work with, and is extremely underfunded, barely able to maintain what there already is in Sliema.
However, he stresses on how maintaining the current pedestrian infrastructure must also be given priority and questions whether the funds from Project Green will allow for better upkeep as well.
As of now, Pillow has found it difficult to start new projects in Sliema, as promises such as Slow Streets have failed to give him the opportunities promised, even though the consultations were completed and proved promising.
Despite these setbacks, Pillow has praised the mayor of Gzira – Conrad Borg Manché – for his vision for Gżira to remove the car spaces and replace them with car parks.
In 2012, Former Minister George Pullicino had gotten a permit for a car park near the Sliema ferries where a garden would be placed on top.
This car park can replace a significant number of parking spaces, therefore increasing promenades and pavements around Sliema.
Currently, Pillow has innovated a project in front of the Teatru Salesjan, where a small piazza will be built, but much more can be done in his opinion, the issue being excess bureaucracy and limited resources.
However, Pillow’s most ambitious proposal would be to close one of the lanes along the Sliema front, extending the promenade by 50 percent and making the road one way, which would direct cars towards St Julians.
This would mean that cars headed to Gżira would have to take new routes, an ambitious plan that could extend pedestrian areas greatly and elevate Sliema.
Pillow also expressed his wish for residential parking for the residents, which would make it easier for them to park their cars, reducing congestion on the streets.
Additionally, he expressed a desire to convert underneath the Torri playing ground into a civic area, with a designated area where local council meetings can be held (currently, there are no venues for these in Sliema), a new local council, a clinic and the police station, relocated to be closer to the busier side of Sliema.
Furthermore, Pillow also expressed how one of the potential sites for a car park could be the St. Patrick’s ground, which currently does not utilise the space properly.
This could be a great opportunity for Sliema to have more parking spaces, increasing pedestrian areas, and promoting a more walkable and bike-friendly environment.
By prioritising pedestrian infrastructure, reducing the number of cars on the road, and providing better parking solutions, Sliema can become a more vibrant and sustainable city for its residents.
Do you believe that these changes would improve the quality of life in Sliema?
READ NEXT: Nurse Praises 'Five Minute Response Time' By Emergency Units In Mġarr Double Decker Bus Fire
