Government rejects proposal for experts to study Għadira road
The government has shot down a proposal, made by a Nationalist MEP candidate, for the environment impact of the proposed Għadira road to be assessed by experts appointed jointly by the authorities and people opposed to the project.
The proposal was made by Alan Deidun who said it would quell suspicions routinely raised about the integrity of such studies. If implemented it would be a first for local planning.
But the Transport Ministry immediately poured cold water on the proposal, even though it comes from a candidate of the same party in government. As a person so familiar with the planning process, the ministry said, Dr Deidun should know that "anyone wanting to express a view on a planning application can do so and, in any case, an application, even if made by the government, needs to comply with existing laws and policies to be approved".
Dr Deidun had stressed that the government's claim that the existing road is eroding the nearby beach (the central argument for substituting the existing bypass with an alternative) had to be substantiated by extensive modelling exercises explained in layman's terms.
But even here, the ministry did not take too well to the suggestion: "Dr Deidun knows enough about beaches and the environmental impact of building roads over them to be able to conclude that the existing Għadira road is environmentally undesirable and should be removed."
Dr Deidun had urged the government to turn the bypass controversy into an opportunity by using it as a case study in which objectors would be involved from the earliest stages.
The government's proposal was met with intense resistance from a number of farmers and organisations because the path through which the road may pass includes a nature reserve and afforestation site.
BirdLife has claimed that the removal of the existing road could pose a serious threat to the nearby valley and those parts of the nature reserve below sea level.
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Marco Cemona
May 9th 2009, 18:01
Dear Alan,
I must express my admiration for your proposal. However, I trust that you are now realising the bitter realities of Maltese politics.
In an interview you gave to a newspaper just after the announcement of your candidancy for the MEP elections, you said that you decided to get involved in politics because you believed that you can be better heard from 'inside' rather than from 'outside'.
Alas, it is now very clear that being inside is not much different from being inside when it comes to pushing 'uncomfortable' (even though valid) proposals through. Nevertheless, I advise that you continue pushing good ideas through (uncomfortable as they may be), and not resign to toeing the party line or stooping down to partisan politics.
Joseph Galea
May 7th 2009, 08:30
Dear Dr.Deidun, you have good intentions to safegard our rights as farmers and EU citizens but we all know how some of the ministers in your party are treating us as second class citzens all I have to tell you is good luck!
P.Cassar
May 4th 2009, 18:43
Dear Alan as I had told you in a previous blog the grinding and squeezing has started as they try to remould you to their needs not to your ideals. It was your choice, now we will wait to see what the real Alan Deidun is made of.
r ferriggi
May 4th 2009, 15:45
L'OPPOZITURI TA L'IRRANGAR ( MHUX BILFORS BINI MIL GDID,,,) TAT TRIQ TA LGHADIRA HEMM BZONN JIFMHU LI KIF INHI,,,IT TRIQ MA HIEX TAJBA.
MINHIEX NGHID LI TRID TINBENA DIK PROPOSTA. LI QED NGHID LI XI HAGA IRID ISIR!!
FIL FATT,,,, IT TRIQ MIN XEMXIJA, SA TAHT SELMUN, IL BYPASS TAL MELLIEHA SA LGHADIRA, U IT TRIQ SAC CIRKEWWA KOLLHA,,,,,,,, TRID TIGI MIBNIJA MIL GDID.
TRIQ LI JGHADDU ELUF KBAR TA NIES KULJUM!!!!!!!!!!!!!
n xuereb
May 4th 2009, 13:38
Dear Alan my friend... read between the lines and do somthing before it too late.
Galea. L
May 4th 2009, 13:16
As we say in Maltese Alan, wara l-elezzjoni jarmuk bhal lumija maghsura.
Steve Rogers
May 4th 2009, 12:28
Dear Alan,
The writing is on the wall. This is the party that sought you to gain green credentials yet it ignores you!
J. Borg
May 4th 2009, 11:34
With Austin Gatt's environmental credentials, and his readiness to spend taxpayers' money.....who needs experts?