Updated: European Commission to express its concerns about new Għadira Road

The European Commission is to express its concerns to MEPA about possible violation of environment directives in the routing of the new Għadira Road, and it will make a formal complaint if clear evidence of such vilations is presented, Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas has said.

Replying to a question in the European Parliament by Labour MEP Louis Grech, the Commissioner said no complaint about the proposed road had been received yet.

The Commission, however, always made it clear that projects co-funded through Structural Funds or as part of the Trans-European Transport Network had to respect environmental laws, including the Habitats Directive.

While no complaints had been received, the Commission would express its concerns to MEPA as the competent authority with regard to the Habitats Directive in Malta.

Mr Dimas said it needed to be established whether the authorities had made a proper risk analysis of the possible impact on the nearby special conservation area.

He also pointed out that no proposal about the building of the new road had so far been submitted to the commission.

The Infrastructure Ministry said the Commissioner had told Mr Grech what the Commission would do if rules were broken. The government had no intention of breaking any law.

The ministry said the ADT is finalising its application to MEPA in conformity with regulations, as repeatedly declared by the government.