Victor Galea, AD Spokesperson for Gozo, Għarb
The new law courts for Gozo
Pjazza l-Assedju 1551, the only open space left in Victoria, being proposed by the government as a building site for the law courts.
Gozo is in dire need of a new and modern complex which includes ample office space for services such as a public registry, regional police headquarters with lockup cells, the fire brigade and rescue centre, a regional Attorney General's office, a regional office for local government and any other department that falls under the Justice Ministry incorporated with new law courts.
The current Law Courts at the Cittadella are not accessible for persons with different abilities especially those using wheelchairs and the historic premises certainly do not meet the health and safety requirements for the workers.
Alternattiva Demokratika had long been proposing a different venue for a new law court and its amenities in Gozo. Some years ago, the government had proposed that the building of the new school complex in Victoria should incorporate the new law courts, however we felt that such a proposal was grossly misguided on two counts: Firstly it did nothing in terms of diminishing the chronic traffic and pollution problem in Victoria, and secondly, it gravely endangered the welfare of school children by bringing them into close daily contact with persons attending court, some of whom may be a completely undesirable. It would further compound the menace posed by those who already routinely loiter outside the school, an unchecked vice afflicting every educational institution in the nation.
It now transpires that the government wants to build the new court premises in the centre of Victoria, and the residential area of Pjazza l-Assedju 1551, which is at the moment being used as a parking area. Apart from this, the residents have not been at all consulted with regard to the plans of the buildings, which will certainly affect their quality of life.
We are not against the building of new premises for the law courts. On the contrary, we are in favour. But we are against it being built in the centre of Victoria because this would bring with it more traffic in the midst of the population with an increased rate of noise pollution and air quality deterioration, and the consequent dangers posed to the health of residents and their children.
We urge the Gozo Ministry and the Home Affairs Ministry as well as the Transport Ministry to seriously reconsider their plans to develop the only open space left in the centre of Victoria. We propose instead that the law courts be moved to the outskirts of the city to a vacant complex formerly rented to Malta Dairy Products (MDP), where commuters could be served by shuttle bus service.
Gozitans will be better serviced through these proposals and the much talked-about traffic congestion in Victoria would ease considerably.
Rightly so, the residents living around Pjazza l-Assedju are worried that the site being put forward by the government is grossly inadequate since it will increase the chronic traffic and pollution problem in Victoria and will destroy one of the few open spaces left in the capital of Gozo.
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Joseph Buttigieg
Jan 30th 2009, 11:52
I agree with Salvu Abela. The derelict site where the MMU used to be, is the best option. Besides removing a huge eyesore there is plenty of room for the building itself and for enough parking spaces. Public transportation passes by the site all the time. So it will be very convenient for people who do not have a private car. Can't understand why the Government is insisting of a site in the heart of Victoria. How absolutely naive!!
Carmel Saliba
Jan 30th 2009, 08:09
Regards the current Law Courts at the Cittadella are not accessible for persons with different abilities is accepted by the administration.
The place chosen at Pjazza l-Assedju 1551 needs to be reconsidered and consider as suggested Mr Galea - the ex MMU premises.
The planning of the new Law Courts needs to be planned with enough underground parking as that planned in the new boys' Secondary school in Victoria.
lgalea
Jan 29th 2009, 21:55
J Martinelli
As far as I know, part of the fine goes to the local councils, part to the wardens companies and part to the government.
lesley kreupl
Jan 29th 2009, 20:52
This photo was obviously taken at lunch time. The parking ground is usually chock-a-block full until midday, with cars waiting to find a space double parking on the main road causing chaos, expecially in bad weather! The law courts here would certainly cause even more chaos. The Malta Dairy Products old site sound like a good idea.
J Martinelli
Jan 29th 2009, 17:12
@ lgalea
What does the government have to do with parking fines? I am under the impression that Local Councils collect parking fines. Is it different in Gozo?
Nonetheless, the suggestion of building the Law Courts on a site formerly rented to Malta Dairy Products is quite valid and the Victoria Council should approach the Ministers involved.
Preserving a little open space in the middle of town is desirable.
salvu abela
Jan 29th 2009, 13:19
Yes it`s true that Gozo needs a new law courts, because the old one have no access for people in wheelchairs,I have seen many times people in wheelchairs being lifted on hand by people and taken up the stairs, which as I see it ,looks maybe a bit of an embaresment for those handicapped people ,after all we live in the 21st century,where these poeple should have access to go on their own.but on the other hand the Gozo Parking is always getting small,not enough space,so why not build the new law courts at the former M.M.U. milk factory,big enough for the law halls,and even for parking ,and even for those who don`t have their own transport ,many buses pass from there.
salvu galea
Jan 29th 2009, 13:08
And what about moving the gozo ministry to the same area, the employees are hogging the same parking lot for a full day during the whole year. If we really need eco Ghawdex let be the first to lead by example and address the problem that such a concentartion of Govt employees has created over the years. Moreover present ministry should be converted to a cusltural centre
lgalea
Jan 29th 2009, 09:29
And where would the car park if this area is built up?
It seems that the government is hell bent on ensuring that drivers will not find parking spaces so that it will continue to fill its coffer through fines.