People friendly streets – sustainable mobility must be facilitated at all timesThe ADPD candidate for the Birkirkara Local Council, Mark Zerafa, listed the main issues that the residents of Birkirkara are facing, chief among them the waste problem in Birkirkara which he described as substantial.  This situation is a result of a lack of serious enforcement, irregular street cleaning schedules and failure to follow the waste collection schedule in the locality.Given that a substantial number of roads are arterial and critical to traffic flow during particular times of the day, the waste collection schedule should be reviewed for a more practical approach to waste collection.  Most of the skips to be found around Birkirkara have disappeared.On the issue of enforcement, Zerafa mentioned how the local council should be assisted by the central government.

Indeed, Zerafa asked what is the purpose of putting up signs claiming to fine lawbreakers if in the end the law is not enforced.  A local council should not beg for what is basic and what should be guaranteed by the central government.“We feel that cleanliness in the locality is the bare minimum that residents expect from their local council”.Another priority Zerafa will focus on is the provision of more learning opportunities such as courses that include basic literacy and other learning of an academic nature, sports and cultural activities, in addition to improving the local library.Zerafa also emphasised the need for various marginalised communities to be included in the life of the community. ADPD would like to do this in partnership with non-government organisations, in particular those who may have yet to work in the Birkirkara community.  “We cannot render entire communities invisible as if they do not exist”, said Zerafa. “The aim of the council is to render itself a council for all”.“There is also a need to protect our cultural heritage and open spaces from the greed of unscrupulous speculators. As a councillor, I will do my best so that the common good surpasses the interests of the few, by opposing obscene proposals such as the one that had been proposed with the historic residence of Vincenzo Borg Brared next to the Church of Santa Liena”, concluded Zerafa.The Deputy Secretary General of ADPD Mario Mallia, as a former councillor on behalf of AD in the Birkirkara local council, said that Mark Zerafa will seek to continue his work when he was a councillor in the same locality. Unfortunately, initiatives that were given priority in his time have today been sidelined, when ironically, they now matter more than ever.  One such example mentioned by Mallia was the installation of bicycle racks around the location.  This is a missed opportunity because in truth they were never considered a priority when ADPD was not represented in the council. The presence of the Green Party once again in the local council of Birkirkara ensures continuation of the work that had been carried out when Mallia was a councillor, who had successfully opposed a development that would destroy twice over an open space for a community in Triq John Borg.  Mallia wishes Zerafa will be able to continue working on opportunities in the international field, especially for young people.ADPD Chairperson Sandra Gauci said 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. 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.  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.  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.  Cou