Birkirkara market parking

Where else except in Malta would normal parking space well away from the Birkirkara market at the top of the hill be rendered a no parking space on the days and time in which the market is held?

It is stupid especially as the signs are misleading. When I parked I noticed a No Parking sign further down the road and I parked in one of three parking bays, which had just been vacated. Feeling sure that the sign referred to cars parked further down the road, especially as there was a wall built on the road, I parked and went around the market making my purchases.

An hour later, we witnessed people staring with disbelief at the warden's tickets which were on all the car windscreens. Even an elderly woman living in the area was fined and she also could not comprehend why we were being "fined". Then we heard a shout and another fine recipient was pointing at a No Parking sign placed against a private garden wall and partly obscured by a tree. This sign which is virtually unnoticeable from the road inferred that parking from the sign downwards was prohibited on market days.

The council should realise that the signs, which even have the arrows placed wrongly, if I remember correctly, are separated by two private parking bays and when one approaches the second parking lot for three cars, after the reserved parking spaces, one is not aware of the previous sign.

How typical of the Maltese creating more difficulties instead of solving problems.

I will pay my fine because I cannot wait another two months to appear in front of a tribunal, most of whose members have nothing better to do except get a kick out of meting out further punishment to already harassed motorists who have to drive in dangerously unkept roads, with some dangerous drivers displaying all their arrogance on the roads by overspeeding, changing lanes continuously from left to right and not giving way at roundabouts.

Where are the wardens when we really need them? Are they all hiding behind lamp-posts and in dark corners ready to tot up their quota of fines so easily on unsuspecting motorists who have been lulled into parking areas with misleading signs?