Tuesday, 2nd December 2008
Information gaps in Għadira road project
I refer to the recent news about the proposed new Għadira road to replace the present one. I am not going into the merit of which is the best solution to this issue; I leave that to the experts. What I'm not convinced of is the way this whole thing is being tackled by the government.
Last week, we were informed by Austin Gatt himself that the plans were not backed by any studies and yet he intends to apply for EU funds for the project by January. Am I missing something here? May I remind readers that the area is a highly environmentally sensitive one and yet, in practically a month, an extensive study has to be carried out to decide the future of the area?
One species that comes to my mind is the Giant Orchid, an extremely rare plant here in Malta with individual plants being found in a few garigue areas. One such area is the garigue just behind the Għadira Nature Reserve and exactly where the new road is intended to be constructed.
This species alone is enough to necessitate a detailed Environmental Impact Assessment, let alone the whole bio-diversity of such an important ecological area. And yet the government is in a haste to apply for the funds by next January.
I agree that the erosion of the beach has to be controlled somehow but we shouldn't rush things and risk doing further damage to the natural environment.
The way the authorities are insisting on this new road while knowing that no study whatsoever has been carried out, does not convince me at all about the real aim of the whole project.
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For your info the Giant Orchid is the largest orchid species in Europe. In Malta it is on the verge of extinction. As someone else said here, in other countries roads and similar disturbances are diverted in order to save a single species; better still they are thrown out the window by the relevant environmental authorities.
I am glad that people have already voiced their disgust at such a comment. Well, I think it is disgusting, really. What do you mean by that? That you are willing to trample all over the little natural environment (some plant or bird, indeed!) for the sake of the luxury of a new road?
Because that is what it is exactly - a luxury. We don't need this road. I travel regularly along this road, and there was never any particular problem with the traffic.
We have for a long time ignored 'some plant or bird' in order to build, build and build. And look where it has got us! One slab of concrete! That is what Malta is, nowadays.
............said "Now not because of some plant or bird we let other people to suffer"
Typical of the human race !
We humans share the planet with all other living creatures. Yet so many of us think the planet belongs to us alone and that we have the right to destroy anything that gets in our way . After 50,000,000 years of evolution we have managed to make a mess of the planet in the short space space of 40 or so years ! Pah !
Haven't we made enough of a mess of our own country, anyway ?
G
What is the problem with the Ghadira Road for people who travels between Malta And Gozo.??The trouble is in Main Street Mellieha, because lot of traffic choose the village and not the By Pass.The Goverment should find a solution for this.While at it; why is it that the Mellieha By Pass, L.Wettinger Road has been left in total darkness for such a long time?
I do not travel from Gozo, but from Mellieha, on a daily basis.
Sincerely apart from Sundays and Public Holidays, traffic along the patch of road in question is negligible.
It is when you travel further down - especially in single lanes - that traffic intensifies.
Pls let's be honest in our contributions....or do some have ulterior agendas?
Are you sure you travel up and down fro Gozo? If you do you would know that the section of road in discussion has never been a problem to travellers. The problem all travellers find is the section from Xemxija to Mellieha - this is where all the traffic jams occur and this is what the authorities should give priority to!
Also related to travel to Gozo, is the need for upgrading the facilities at Cirkewwa especially now that the Mgarr terminal is practically ready
It is because of people like you that the world is in the ecological disaster that it is today. In countries where people actually care major developments have been adjusted and changed to save 'one species'.
Why not in Malta ?
Because we have an arrogant government who knows better then all!
The project is only needed to alienate the people from the budget burdens imposed by Gonzipn and to take care of contractors friends or friends of friends.