Greens ask Brussels to look into traffic, pollution problems in Sliema area

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.