Ivan Camilleri
€16 million in EU funds for tourism projects
Qawra, Sliema, Pembroke set for upgrade
As part of a project, the area around Fond Għadir in Sliema will be upgraded and landscaped.
Major upgrading projects to be undertaken by the Malta Tourism Authority in Qawra, Sliema and Pembroke are to receive €16 million in EU funds.
Work on the projects - which have been approved following an application submitted by the MTA as part of the EU's cohesion funds allocated to Malta for 2007 to 2013 - is expected to start towards the end of this year.
A spokesman for the Tourism Parliamentary Secretariat confirmed that the projects were recently given the green light by the EU and that preparatory work to upgrade the three tourist areas had already begun.
The total cost of the projects is €19 million. Eight-five per cent of the cost will come out of the EU budget while the remaining 15 per cent will be topped up through local funds.
The upgrading of Qawra Point, better known as the 'Ta' Fra Ben' area, will be divided into two phases.
The first, to be completed by next summer, comprises major landscaping works and better accessibility for swimmers and divers. Public amenities will also be reconstructed.
In a second phase, the MTA is planning to create a new sandy beach together with a new visitor attraction based on an aquarium, along with ancillary facilities, a diving institute and landscaped gardens. This project in is expected to be completed by the end of 2011.
EU funds will also be used to upgrade a one-kilometre stretch of coastline at St Paul's Bay, connecting the Menqa area to Wignacourt Tower and then on to St Paul's Bay primary school. This will include a new 80-metre-long cantilevered promenade.
As part of the same project, the area around Fond Għadir in Sliema will be upgraded and landscaped. This is expected to be completed by next summer.
Meanwhile, €14.5 million of the EU funds will be dedicated to the creation of new landscape gardens in Pembroke with recreation facilities for families with children and a new cycle track.
Through this project the MTA will create a walking and cycle trail from the landscaped gardens to the Madliena watchtower, which will be restored.
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r ferriggi
Aug 24th 2009, 08:39
i appeal to governemnt to focus on areas which are IN A VERY BAD STATE.
some are:
1. the cirkewwa terminal - this is like the entrance to a farm. honestly. it is a total shambles.
2. the xemxija to cirkewwa road. it is disintegrating.
3. the bus terminus area in valletta - needs TOTAL overhaul.
4. the ghadira mellieha bay area - like a disaster area.
5. and of course,,,,, much of the road network but that needs hunreds of millions to overhaul.
6. diving areas and facilities - a concerted effort is needed t upgrade them to a decent standard.
Noel Cutajar
Aug 23rd 2009, 22:23
Is the South of Malta part of Malta? I guess it is not...
lgalea
Aug 23rd 2009, 12:02
Why is it that all tourism projects are always in the Qawra, Sliema, Pembroke area and all the south of Malta always gets the dirty projects?
For eu funds please read some of OUR money sent to the eu being given back to us to use with all strings attached.
Charles Micallef@hotmail.com
Aug 23rd 2009, 11:37
Are these plans being kept a secret for perusal of the chosen few "Only" and then again as usual shown to the public on the day they start work on the project?