Kurt Sansone
Kappara to replace Għadira for EU road funds
Expert report confirms road threatens beach
The controversial plan to build a road in Għadira has been shelved for now and the EU funds earmarked for the project will be redirected towards the construction of a new junction at Kappara, the Transport Minister said yesterday.
Austin Gatt complained about the planning authority's procrastination in issuing the terms of reference for the environmental impact assessment for the Għadira road. This has prompted the ministry to drop the idea of building the road using EU funds because the deadline for submitting proposals was very tight.
Dr Gatt was speaking at a press conference at which a study of the Għadira road's impact on the sandy beach by British coastal geology expert Kenneth Pye was published.
The report, commissioned by the ministry in July, says the road is a major cause of sand erosion at the popular bay and could contribute to the eventual disappearance of the beach. However, further studies are required to determine the impact of the road's removal on the low-lying nature reserve just behind the road, which could be threatened by flooding, according to the report.
Prof. Pye said the sandy beach had retracted by 26 metres over a 50-year span and the road had contributed to the erosion. While he highlighted the risk of flooding in the hinterland if the road were moved from its present location, he insisted it was possible to save both the beach and the nature reserve.
Dr Gatt said the government was committed to safeguarding both Għadira beach and the bird sanctuary, pointing out that it remained open to all solutions for the construction of a new road.
"It is not appropriate to rush such a crucial decision so we will wait for all studies to be concluded. The road will be financed by national funds," he said.
The minister said the Kappara junction was less problematic as it was already covered by Mepa permits that had now expired.
Earlier this month, environmental NGOs had threatened to lodge a formal complaint with the EU against the Għadira road project if it were accepted by Mepa.
They said the project, as proposed by the Malta Transport Authority (ADT), was based on the claim that the existing road was causing beach erosion. In the absence of any scientific evidence of erosion and its causes, they said Mepa should inform the ADT that the project was a non-starter.
The ministry's decision to suspend its plan was welcomed by Alternattiva Demokratika spokesman Carmel Cacopardo. "This is another case of the government backtracking on a project it had embarked on before having the necessary basic studies in hand. AD looks forward to more studies so if the project is reconsidered in the future, both the beach and the nature reserve would be protected," Mr Cacopardo said.
Mr Pye's study is posted on the ministry's website at http://mitc.gov.mt .
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edgar rossignaud
Oct 31st 2009, 21:34
I consider the long overdue decision to construct the fly-over at the Kappara Junction, as a personal vindification for me, as I have been the one consistently writing about this necessity for at least 15 years, and the official response was always that this was not a priority. I had even submtted a schematic drawing of a 'hamburger' junction in the papers, but still nobody who mattered gave it as much as a thought. Rather I was considered as a pain in the back-side. When some months ago, the Ghadira road project was announced - without even having proper studies in placeagain wrote on the persistent wrong priorities which, it seems, have become he order of the day. Considering the hundreds of thousands of Euros that have been spent on the 'lights - no lights' charade, on the admittedly beautiful palm oasis roundabout, and on the daily employment of traffic policemen to try and control traffic, it is incredible how the people who ultimately make decisions, could not see the real problem staring them in the face. So before any opportunist politician tries to get some glory from this decision, kindly give merit where it's really due.
Luigi Cassar Manghi
Oct 31st 2009, 17:05
How strange!.... the presence of the road erodes the sandy beach..... and the absence of the same road may cause flooding of the nature reserve! You can't have both. Let's be frank: the sandy beach is eroded by nothing else other than sea storms. The road does not eat sand as it does not have a digestive system. The only way to increase the extent of the sand is to get it back from the sea or to import it from the Sahara Desert. There is no need for a new road further inland. Leave everything as is.
albert leone ganado
Oct 31st 2009, 11:53
Let us hope that we will not now start hearing a litany of objections to the Kappara works. We are experts in talking our way to inaction.
Paul Caruana
Oct 31st 2009, 11:03
It is good to see people taking sensible decisions!
I am sure we can all agree that the Ghadira road can stay as it is for now, while the Kappara junction is an urgently required upgrade to our road network. This, together with the upgrading of the Marsa junction, will go a long way in reducing the morning traffic logjams.
Might I be so bold as to suggest the temporary shelving of the new Valletta project, which frankly can hardly be considered to be a priority, and use that considerable amount of money to further more traffic junctions in the national road network as soon as possible.
A.Calleja
Oct 31st 2009, 10:43
At last...the Kappara fly-over after waiting for 15 years. I hope it will not take another 15 years to be build.
P.Cassar
Oct 31st 2009, 10:14
WERN'T WE SOLEMNLY ADMONISEHED BY GONZIPN THAT IF WE REFUSE TO ACCEPT THE PROPOSED GHADIRA ROAD THE MONEY WOULD BE LOST???
For how long is the govt. persisting in taking people for a ride and trreating us as fools???
Albert Bezzina
Oct 31st 2009, 10:08
Sanity prevails! Or Manuel Island project road infrastructure was asked to be given priority??
Beach or no beach, a raised roadway will be needed to connect across the bird sanctuary valley before the end of the 21 st Century. Tourism down sea level up.