Sliema car park attendants are outraged at new street signs informing motorists that payment is not mandatory in public parking areas.

“The government wants to starve us. They’re being way too hard on us, just like they were with hunters. I don’t understand why. I don’t know what we’ve done to be treated like this,” one Sliema car park attendant told Times of Malta, as a motorist handed him a €2 coin and her car keys.

The attendants hit the headlines this week after media reports that one of the new signs had been ripped out and thrown into the sea. The attendants denied any involvement.

“The authorities put that sign up a few hours before the heavy storm last week and it got blown away,” another attendant said.

Despite their denials, the parking attendants in Sliema have been warned by the transport authorities that if they are caught tampering with the public signs, they will have their licences withdrawn.

Motorists have, over the years, complained of parkers demanding payment for the use of public spaces.

“No, that’s rubbish! What money I receive I am given; you cannot force people to pay you,” a Ferries parker said.

Back in 2012, Times of Malta reported that parking attendants could be raking in as much as €1,000 a week, especially during the busy summer months and the Christmas season.

More details in The Times of Malta and the e-paper on timesofmalta.com Premium.