John Azzopardi, Swieqi
Subterranean spaces near co-cathedral (2)
Much has been said and done about excavations planned for the enlargement of the Museum of St John's Co-Cathedral. Judging by the speed of discussions and the great attention being given to this project, it will doubtlessly not have to be shelved until someone deigns to take some kind of action to get the ball rolling.
Yet I have recently been extremely disturbed by the pictures published in the papers of roots that have wormed their way through basement ceilings at St John's Co-Cathedral.
As long as 18 months ago, during works being carried out at St. Lucia Street, Valletta, several thick and extremely long roots were uncovered beneath the pavement of the said street at least as far as half way down the street, namely on the threshold of the shop Sergio Zampa.
These belong to trees in the square opposite the Law Courts. So far the trees have not been transplanted and I believe I am correct to assume that the roots cannot have grown any shorter or less damaging!
The only solution that the architects responsible came up with was to erect bollards along the pavement to prevent cars from mounting and creating hazardous pressure on the roof of La Valette's vault directly beneath.
At the time I had suggested the trees be removed and transplanted in a spot where they cannot damage historical buildings, since I feared these roots may very well have been exploring the foundations of the cathedral. Time has proven my worst fears true.
Environmentalists argue in favour of the trees. Yet what about a centuries old gem like St John's?
I feel that immediate action should be taken before further damage occurs.
We cannot continue to lie back and spring out of our inertia only when the situation reaches almost impossible proportions.
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Raymond Sammut
Sep 28th 2008, 00:11
I am totally ignorant on trees. All I can say is that the Harruba is among the most majestic plants.
If what Mr Ellul is saying below is correct, (I would leave for the experts to judge), then it sounds all very good to me.
I think that Laurence Gonzi and Austin Gatt should take major (and perhaps even small) businesses in Malta to task, and get them to contribute to a CO2 fund dedicated to the planting of native trees across Malta and Gozo. For example, I see no reason why the SmartCity firm is not being asked to make up for the amount of CO2 it will be contributing during construction. The same applies to the tourism industry in general.
And how about covering the main slanting roof of the Co-Cathedral with solar panels? The Maltese could then light up their cathedral using a friendly source, something that would be so profoundly fitting to the house of the true Father.
Joseph Ellul
Sep 27th 2008, 00:40
The trees mentioned are pretty old and more than fully matured. It is a known fact that old trees start giving out CO2 instead of absorbing it. I would recomend these trees to be taken off and instead another 1000 will be planted around the Hagar Qim temples. Since Hagar Qim is in a high windy position the trees chosen should be , Ballut, Harrub, and White Fig. To replace the Valletta trees the soil area can be fully paved and several earth pots with hardy shrubs can be positioned there. This way no roots will penetrate the ground and it will be light work when it comes to replace any damaged , dead trees. Any more trees planted in Malta will come in handy when carbon trading starts to take place. Take a deep breath and relax.
l Galea
Sep 26th 2008, 11:07
How about transplanting them and planting orange trees as is done in other countries?