Dredging at Salina resumes

Dredging works to clear an 875-metre watercourse in Salina have resumed, Resources and Infrastructure Minister Ninu Zammit said.

The Malta Environment and Planning Authority had stopped the work earlier this month because it had not yet issued a permit.

The project was started last year by the Resources Ministry's maritime and storm water unit. The second phase involves the removal of around 20,000 metres of mud, illegally dumped waste and material which, ended up in the Sokkors - the water channel encircling the perimeter of the 16th century saltpans. The watercourse, meant to carry storm water from Burmarrad valley into the sea, had been neglected for at least 30 years, creating flood problems in winter, Mr Zammit said.

The minister said the cleaning of valleys in Burmarrad, Mosta, Ghajn Rihana and Imselliet, from where tonnes of rubbish had been removed last year, was part of a holistic project to ease Malta's flooding problems.

Besides dredging, the work on the Salina watercourse involves the restoration of surrounding walls so that the area may be used for recreation.

Mr Zammit said a private contractor was carrying out the works.