Advert

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.

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.

Advert

5 Comments

Post comment

Comments are submitted under the express understanding and condition that the editor may, and is authorised to, disclose any/all of the above personal information to any person or entity requesting the information for the purposes of legal action on grounds that such person or entity is aggrieved by any comment so submitted.

At this time your comment will not be displayed immediately upon posting. Please allow some time for your comment to be moderated before it is displayed.

Your User Profile is incomplete.
Please click here to complete your profile before posting comments.

Advert
Advert