Fiona Galea Debono
Greens ask Brussels to look into traffic, pollution problems in Sliema area
The Greens have asked the European Commission to say whether the transport authority is fulfilling its obligations to provide effective traffic management and control against vehicle pollution.
Traffic and pollution problems in Sliema and Gżira have reached the European Commission, putting the local environment and transport authorities under the spotlight.
The Greens have tabled a parliamentary question on the level of unsustainable development in these areas, asking the Commission to verify whether the planning authority would be authorising further urban development in these already over-developed towns in breach of EU directives.
Alternattiva Demokratika chairman Arnold Cassola said the Commission was also asked to check whether the Malta Transport Authority (ADT) was fulfilling its obligations to provide effective urban traffic management and control against vehicle pollution.
The parliamentary question would serve to increase public pressure and awareness but also get information on Malta that the government often concealed, Prof. Cassola said.
Both regulators were not cooperating, AD Sliema local councillor Michael Briguglio said, expressing disappointment.
The residents have been "justifiably" complaining about the air quality in the area, he said, pointing out that Manwel Dimech Street was, in fact, the second most heavily polluted in Malta following St Anne's Street in Floriana, according to monitoring by the planning authority.
"The ADT is refusing to take concrete measures to improve traffic," he continued. "It has no idea what is happening in Sliema and has not even informed the local council how cars would be passing through the Tignè tunnel."
Asked what he thought of the government's proposed public transport reform, Prof. Cassola said AD was waiting for the plans but was pleased about the water transport for the Grand Harbour area, auguring that the boats would be ecological. He pointed out, however, that the government's announcement some eight months ago to overhaul Gozo's public transport system, using it as a model on the eco island, was scrapped due to lack of funds.
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Noel Cutajar
May 27th 2009, 21:33
Come to Fgura...
M Formosa
May 27th 2009, 14:49
My mother in law lives at Manuel Dimech Sliema. Last summer we stayed at the house and slept in the front bedroom overlooking Manuel Dimech. We did not get one good nights sleep in the week we stayed there due to fumes and noise pollution. Unless all the residents of Manuel Dimech, top to bottom, submit a signed petition to Brussels, I am afraid that the Maltese government and local council will take their jolly good time before any action is taken.
They should at least start off by re routing buses and heavy trucks, this is a serious health matter for all concerned.
Adrian Gatt
May 27th 2009, 12:16
As mentioned in this article, the pollution level has exceeded the EU acceptable levels on several occasions for Benzene and NOx. The PM10 are not monitored in Sliema, but the closest point is in Msida and again is above limits. When will MEPA take these readings seriously. Sliema already has more than 25% of dwellings empty. With the eventual settlement in these empty premises and the continuous destruction of open spaces turned into a multitude of apartments, pollution levels can only get worse. Now with the added load of thousands of yachts berthed within Marsamxett , the area is condemned. PM (responsible of MEPA!!) please note that there are people living in Sliema. The setting up of the Sliema Residents Association will hopefully tackle these issues but residents need to get off their back and do something. sliemaresidentsa@gmail.com
Joe Morana
May 27th 2009, 11:50
Well done AD for bringing the Sliema -Gzira sustainable devlopment to the attention of the EU as the local authorities seem unable and/or reluctant to tackle the Sliema sustainable problem. Sliema has lost its "Sliem", with us residents suffering the consequencies of overdevelopment . Many Sliema residents feel let down by the authorities concerned. Readers may wish to note that air pollution is not limited to M Dimech Street Sliema . in fact in 2007 the NO2 - 10 month average benchmark was exceeded also in Rudolph street Sliema area and Rue D'Argens Road Gzira and in 2008 the N02 - 8 month average was again exceeded in M Dimech Street and in Rudolph Street Sliema.
It is envisaged that the precarious Sliema traffic problems including air pollution, will precipitate further when the Tigne mega projects (MIDI and Fort Cambrigde) are commissioned and receive their tennants/residents and the other commercial activities commence with their operations.
J.Brownie
May 27th 2009, 11:38
The pollution problem form traffic emissions is widespread and serious and not just limited to the Sliema, Gzira area. Regrettably this problem has been given only lip-service attention by our politician with lot of empty and vote-catching promises that delivered no visible results on the ground. And this is understandable , as when our dear politicians are not locked in their offices they usually travel in their air-conditioned , well sealed cars with no possibility of any air intake from outside during the normally short journeys, so no wonder they never do anything concrete as they never smell anything whilst people on our narrow street have to bear the brunt of it all – and please do mention the SMS alert system anymore, which is good PR but otherwise a largely toothless dog and….. nor the MEPA air-monitoring stations – what is happing to data collected by the way ( imbierek –Alla this is almost always within the acceptable European safe levels ….ha ha ha ) - so I urge AD or any other party for that matter to put this issue very high on their agenda if they ever get elected in the EP.