John R. Mifsud, Attard
Build Balluta car park in the bay, not the square
In view of the recent mainly negative response to the much-needed car park at Balluta Square, may I humbly suggest building the car park in Balluta Bay instead of in the square?
The bay, though occupying a glorious site, is not a very popular beach and may easily be partially reclaimed across its entire width as far as the nearest (southern side) wall of the Neptunes waterpolo pitch.
Once a protective wall is built, the reclaimed area could easily be dredged of its sand to a sufficient depth to create a three-level car park up to the level of the existing road. Steps could then be constructed on the outside wall so the aspect of the existing beach wall is retained.
The second phase of the pro-ject could well consist in the construction of breakwater arms near the Dragonara Point and at the Exiles extremity so that the entire St Julians/Sliema bay, as well as what is left of Balluta Bay after the construc-tion of the car park, is wave protected.
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Shenda Holmes
Nov 20th 2009, 21:38
@ Diddums. Your ideas are as wonderful as J R MIfsud's!
JOANNE PACE
Nov 20th 2009, 19:53
Dear Mr Mifsud are you for real..... anyway you should attend the consultation meeting at the Meridien hotel in Balluta on the 27th November at 6.30pm and air any more ideas you have thought of, always better than a car park under Balluta SQUARE...
Diddums
Nov 20th 2009, 19:36
I think the whole sea should be reclaimed from Exiles across to Cavalieir and all the sea behind. Its an awful place to swim, and all that reclaimed land could provide for a great open air car park and festival area.
Michael Borg
Nov 20th 2009, 19:25
Ghaziz sur Mifsud tidher li ma toqoghdx il Ballutta biex titkellem hekk, jekk jkollok xi idea brillanti ghamila ghal rahal fejn toqoghd int jekk joghgbok u nhallhu l bajja tal Ballutta, kif inhi sabiha bizejjed! Grazzi!
tami mifsud
Nov 20th 2009, 18:16
that's why they need a car park Shenda Holmes !!!!!
Shenda Holmes
Nov 20th 2009, 17:25
Great idea J R Mifsud.... As for the beach at St George's Bay, IT may be a great success but there is nowhere to park!!!
ALEXANDER PACE GOUDER
Nov 20th 2009, 17:15
@ M.Robertson. I had sent my first comment before Mr.M.Robertson's comment appeared on screen. Am pleased to state and confirm that a Circular issued by The St.Julians Local Council under the signature of the mayor Mr.Peter Bonello is since this morning being hand delivered to the residents of Balluta(most of the residents in Balluta Square Area already have it. )This states that a Consultation Meeting will be held on Friday 27th November 2009 at 6.30pm at The Meridian Hotel, Balluta St.Julians. The Balluta Residents Association/Save Balluta Square Group on their part are at the moment also informing about this meeting by Phone, Emails ,Facebook and other means of communication systems, all those who have made contact with them regarding the Balluta Car Park Project. Finally the much requested Consultation meeting is being held.
Miguel Borg
Nov 20th 2009, 17:09
@ John R. Mifsud What a CRAZY IDEA! @ edgar rossignaud Naptunes Pitch and the effects on Balluta Sandy Beach = Another ENVIORMENTAL SIN by PN Administration in the 60's and repeated in the 90's! More of teh Same! Look at Bahrija now!
ALEX PACE GOUDER
Nov 20th 2009, 16:37
When we at Balluta read this letter by Mr.John R.Mifusd from Attard we all appriciated his contribution to our Aim to Save Balluta Square but we also said that this idea would further ruin our Balluta Bay. What Mr.A.Zahra said about the changes which occured in the Bay is completely correct. With regard to Mr.C.Cassar's comment about the big stones on the right hand side of the Bay this is also correct. If these are pulled out of the seabed the Bay will be much cleaner and safe for those using it during the summer months which during this year were quite a good number this mainly due to the fact that the Bay was DRANAGE FREE. (This job can be effected some time during the month of May next year after most of The Gregals Storms and winds which brings heavy seas to this bay are over.) IF WHAT HAS BEEN DONE IN ST.GEORGE'S BAY ( The sandy beach a big success) CAN ALSO BE EFFECTED IN BALLUTA BAY THIS PROJECT WILL BE MORE THEN WELCOMED AS WE WILL HAVE OUR SANDY BEACH BACK FOR ALL TO ENJOY.
M. Robertson
Nov 20th 2009, 14:41
What a ridiculous idea! Can we not just leave Balluta Bay alone. Has the mayor given
a date for the meeting yet?
edgar rossignaud
Nov 20th 2009, 12:59
@John Mifsud. I remember the bay as a popular sandy beach before the Neptunes pool construction altered the sea eddies in a way that the sand was carried away. If anything measures are to be sought how to reverse the situation because after all the sand is all there in the sea, right up to the Cavalieri Hotel. The Japanese are experts in this field, but I am sure local knowledge exists also. As to the car-park, forget it; it's established that the more car parking you create, the more traffic is generated!
A. Zahra
Nov 20th 2009, 12:30
@C.Cassar The sandy beach at Ballutta was reduced to its present size because the flow of the sea currents was changed when the Neptunes waterpolo pitch was enlarged to its present size. Before then St. Julians possessed a sizeable very popular sandy beach. As for the Mifsuds' suggestion words just fail me. It just shows how insensitive to the enviroment and natural beauty some people can be.
David Dandria
Nov 20th 2009, 12:06
What an awful idea!
t.mifsud
Nov 20th 2009, 10:48
What a great idea !!
C Cassar
Nov 20th 2009, 10:30
On the contrary, Balluta bay should be reinstated as a nice town beach in the same way as St George's bay. I really don't understand why this has not been done yet. There is such a good catchment around Balluta/Sliema for a small sandy beach, it would be extremely popular. It might need a small breakwater further out to protect it from winter storms etc but it would be a small project in the scope of all others around Malta.
At the very minimum, the stones and rocks that litter the bay to the right hand side as you look out to sea should be removed. That would only take a couple of days and significantly improve the small beach as it stands right now.