Gozo needs a bridge

In an article by Cynthia Busuttil on June 14, Joe Muscat, the secretary of the Gozo Tourism Association, was quoted as saying that in the opinion of the GTA, Gozo would lose its charm if an underground tunnel from Malta were built.

If Gozo were to be connected to Malta, the advantages would far outweigh the disadvantages. Take the tourist sector. The problem of crossing would diminish and clients would get to their hotels from the airport in no time. The Maltese would be able to cross whenever they liked so the restaurant business would boom.

From the point of view of Gozitans, it would be easier for students and workers to work in Malta if forced to find a job there.

Gozo would be given the upgrading it badly needs. We were promised an all-weather harbour and boats. But cancellations are still the order of the day in inclement weather.

It is true that that there have been great improvements in the last 30 years but for us to make a big leap economically we need something which is far superior to the ferry. A bridge would be an alternative.

I think it was a big mistake that in a survey carried out in Gozo the other week, a question about having a bridge was not asked. The Gozitans of today are not the Gozitans of yesterday and I am sure that their perception about a bridge has changed over the years. It would have been very interesting to know what they think.

If somebody says it cannot be done, I invite them to look at the front page of The Times of June 10 and see the proposed bridge linking Sicily to Italy, with help from the EU.