Walling off the countryside (2)

It is indeed ironic that, since the generous allotment of EU funds for the building of rubble walls, there has been a proliferation of excessively high boundary walls in complete disregard of Mepa regulations that clearly stipulate the height of these walls in ODZs.

This illegal practice has been going on for many years and successive governments have turned a blind eye to this irregularity. Just to mention one obvious example: the stretch of road from Hagar Qim to Ghar Lapsi built in the 1960s in keeping with this beautiful panoramic road. The statutory height of the original wall is still visible and yet nobody cares. There are other areas that have been brought to the attention of our Environment Commission and these include parts of the Bahrija/Kuncizzjoni access road, Fawwara leading up to Gebel Ciantar, Ta' Baldu on the way to Ta' l-Inginier and many other sites which this commission has identified.

In this regard, it is indeed a breath of fresh air to enjoy the panoramic view of Mdina and the idyllic countryside along the route from St Dorothy's Convent in Zebbug to Targa Gap (Mosta) thanks to the controlled height of the rubble boundary walls. Our sincere gratitude and appreciation to the minister responsible, Jesmond Mugliett, for regaling us with such outstanding views.

We also welcome the recent massive cleaning up of the countryside by the Ministry of the Environment and Rural Affairs. We extend our full support and cooperation so that this initiative will be an on-going commitment.