Rough seas make life difficult for Gozitans

V. Bonello

Mar 10th 2010, 19:23

Anthony Grech, Ok, I know, you have a point in your last post but it is more than a travelling issue as you may have seen in many of the posts. As for the 'waste' of time I believe it's still worth spending time raising an issue that is affecting many people's lives and qualtiy of life rather than never mention it all. I believe that even though the eventuality of a fixed link seems quite remote but at least we hope for a future change no matter how old we'll be by than.

Joseph Galea

Mar 10th 2010, 17:27

When will we learn to mind our own business and if there'ss a problem we try to suggest a solution; Instead of trying to make it look as if "there's no problem at all" simply because it dosen't affects the person talking! This is egoist as its best.

If something does not affect you, you should NOT comment in the first place simply because you wouldn't know what you are talking about in the first place.

For good or for bad, a bridge is unlikely that will ever be build in the near future. The reasons why are various and well mentioned in these comments. But what about a different approach, what if the government find some place where to build a few hundreds apartments and make them available to gozitan students and even workers. Students can stay for free, gozitan workers can be charged a "low" monthly rent. (still worthed for gozitans because they save the hassle + money of having to cross over) - This would probably solve 95% of the problem.

Illegal Inmigrants are given a place where to stay + food + money. Is it such a problem to provide such a thing to gozitans too?

A.Psaila

Mar 10th 2010, 17:20

A bridge between Malta and Gozo means that a lot of Gozitans will lose their job in Gozo!

R. Camilleri

Mar 10th 2010, 16:12

I stand corrected, a bridge between Malta and Italy, not Sicily.

R. Camilleri

Mar 10th 2010, 15:52

I'm gozitan, and I had studied and now work in Malta. And I'm not complaining, as its the way of life, build a bridge and gozitans/maltese will still complain on something else.

However if a bridge/tunnel has to be built, do one between Sicily and Malta, which will enhance commerce and holiday opportunities to Europe.

Leave Gozo alone and traditional, no airports, bridges ....etc

Joe Fenech

Mar 10th 2010, 14:16

Why don't the Gozitans work in Gozo? After all when they thought 'they' had oil, many wanted their independence?

victor vella

Mar 10th 2010, 13:33

I am 52 years old ans have been hearing about this bridge since I was a kid.I don't believe I will ever see it, but in answer to some of the comments I would say that,
a) The ferry service has increased as has the quality and safety.
b) The Terminal at Mgarr leaves nothing to wish for , except maybe those who still try to get onto the ferry for free.
c) May I ask how many of those 1100 persons work for a private employer?
d) I do believe that civil servants have a lot of benefits for working in Malta to mention one is that lack of time keeping .I will mention 3 people who were offered a transfer to Gozo and they refused outright.
Regarding students well yes I do believe that after a rough crossing one would not feel like sitting down through a boring lecture , but alas that is life, with the traffic congestion at Marsa and all roads when it is rainy it takes me an hour if not more to get from Zabbar to Mosta.THere is nothing much to do except leave home earlier and hope for the best.

Anthony Grech

Mar 10th 2010, 12:00

V. Bonello, you are totally barking up the wrong tree. Talk all you want about a bridge or tunnel or whatever, but all you are doing is wasting your time. For the record I would actually be in favour of a bridge, but come on do you really think it will happens? Do you vote for the party that is going to try and answer the problems of going back and forth from Gozo? Our good citizens vote right down party lines regardless of policies, and that is the sad part. Would a Labour family vote for a Nationalist if he were in favour of building a bridge? Never.

Address the problems, yes, sit arround talking about it with end, no.

Anthony Micallef

Mar 10th 2010, 11:19

Forget about the bridge, what we need is an airport and a port and then we don t need malta anymore.

M Camilleri

Mar 10th 2010, 09:37

L-Ghawdxin li jahdmu Malta isibu problemi dejjem bil-vapur imma l-ghar meta jkun hafna rih. U in-numru ta drabi fil-gzejjer Maltin li jkun ir-rih ma huwiex ftit. Hemm hafna drabi matul is-sena fejn ir-rih ikun forza 6, 7 u anke 8, u dan mux ghal gurnata jew tnejn imma gieli itawwal gimgha bir-rih. Min ikun sejjer Malta ghax-xoghol dejjem ihabbat wiccu ma din il-problema.. u meta ma jahdimx il-vapur u jhalli hafna nies sejrin ghax-xoghol l-Mgarr, ara kemm igergru l-employers.. U mux ahjar insolvu din il-problema darba ghal-dejjem u ninvestu f'xi haga soda - fi bridge - milli f'2 mollijiet u 3 vapuri instabbli ghax il-maltemp hemm ser jibqa, u l-mewg u ir-rih mumiex ha jonqsu. Din il-problema hemm sa tibqa jekk ma nsolvuhiex bhal ma ilha hekk ghal hafna zmien.

M Camilleri

Mar 10th 2010, 08:53

L-Ghawdxin li jahdmu Malta isibu problemi dejjem bil-vapur imma l-ghar meta jkun hafna rih. U in-numru ta drabi fil-gzejjer Maltin li jkun ir-rih ma huwiex ftit. Hemm hafna drabi matul is-sena fejn ir-rih ikun forza 6, 7 u anke 8, u dan mux ghal gurnata jew tnejn imma gieli itawwal gimgha bir-rih. Min ikun sejjer Malta ghax-xoghol dejjem ihabbat wiccu ma din il-problema.. u meta ma jahdimx il-vapur u jhalli hafna nies sejrin ghax-xoghol l-Mgarr, ara kemm igergru l-employers.. U mux ahjar insolvu din il-problema darba ghal-dejjem u ninvestu f'xi haga soda - fi bridge - milli f'2 mollijiet u 3 vapuri instabbli ghax il-maltemp hemm ser jibqa, u l-mewg u ir-rih mumiex ha jonqsu. Din il-problema hemm sa tibqa jekk ma nsolvuhiex bhal ma ilha hekk ghal hafna zmien.

Christian Sciberras

Mar 10th 2010, 02:12

We'll get a bridge...when hell freezes over.

Who's behind the government? Comfortable Maltese which hardly know about Gozo.

Taf x'naf, malli terhilha ghal Ghawdex minn Malta, mhemx ghalfejn taqbez il-bahar, tibda tara nuqqas ta servizzi minn Malta stess, ibda mit-toroq ma genb il-bahar.


And who's saying "big deal" about it, well, I suggest s/he gets outside of their garage/computer of theirs'....the world outside is not all that nice and shiny.

Nahseb jiena malghajr jibqghu jghidulha "gawra fil-mediterran" lil-Malta wara dawra bil-vapur b'xi rih forza 6.

L.Xerri

Mar 9th 2010, 21:15

Mr Spiteri,no businessman in his right mind would invest in a place that may impact negatively on his delivery times, especially if he need access to airports and ports for his
business to thrive We desperately need a permanent Link,be it a bridge or a tunnel and then
and only then will any potential investors consider Gozo.
Reliable transit routes are a must for every economy.ask the Chinese.they are building a multitude of bridges and underwater tunnels to just have that,and in record time. and at very reasonable prices.In fact the Donghai Bridge ,a 32km seafaring bridge cost them USD 1.2billion,and this was finished in 35 months. !!!

V. Bonello

Mar 9th 2010, 19:50

@Anthony Grech

Maybe you're right, maybe you're wrong, with regards to the fact that a bridge/tunnel would never be made. However who are you to say that 'the sooner everyone accepts it the better'?

May I ask for whom it will be better? Maybe it would be better for you or for those who are opposing due to their own interest?

If needs and issues are not even mentioned, they will surely never ever be addressed. Why shouldn't the proposers of a bridge/tunnel be able to express their needs as other citizens who continually speak about issues which they deem necessary to themselves?

E.Spiteri

Mar 9th 2010, 15:17

Jekk il- bridge mhux possibli almenu ghandhom jifthu iktar kumpaniji Ghawdex. Jiddispjacini imma l- gvern specjalment il- ministeru ta' Ghawdex mhu qed jaghmel xejn! Ghandu bzonn iqum ftit fuq tieghu. Kumpaniji ta' IT, audits, betting, pharmaceuticals......ix- xoghol taghhom huwa export u llum issib mijiet ta' haddiema ghawdxin kwalifikati bizzejjed, imma kollha Malta qed ikollhom jahdmu.
Onor. Giovanna jekk joghgbok action pls. Sal bierah stess smajna li fabbrika ohra se tiftah Malta, u Gozo qatt allura??

M Camilleri

Mar 9th 2010, 14:43

JEKK IL-GVERN MA JRIDX JINVESTI F'GHAWDEX U JOHLOQ XOGHOLIJIET GHAWDEX, GHALMENU JIBDA BIEX JUZA IT-80 MILJUN LI HA JAHLI BIEX JIBNI L-PARLAMENT U JIBDA BIEX JUZAHOM GHALL-BINI TA BRIDGE BEJN MALTA U GHAWDEX.. U FLOK IL-MOLL BLA SENS LI HA JAGHMLU IC-CIRKEWWA U LI HADD MA STAQSA GHALIH BIEX JAGHMLUH, JUZA DAWK IL-FLUS GHAL BRIDGE. Ghalmenu jkun qed jghin lilna l-Ghawdxin u lill-ekonomija taghna, flok jahlihom f'parlament biex joqodu jgawduh Gonzi, l-backbenchers, u l-erbgha ohra li hemm fil-parlament..

M Camilleri

Mar 9th 2010, 14:32

@Vivienne Pace
Prosit tal-kummenti, ghax huma verament realistici. Ghadilhom lil dawk li jitkellmu u jaraw sa mnehirhom, kemm inbatu ahna l-Ghawdxin biex immorru Malta kuljum ghax xoghol.. GHAX XOGHOL TA u mux ghal xi kapricci.. BIEX IKOLLNA X'NIEKLU ANHA U ID-DIPENDENTI TAGHNA u biex INHALLSU IL-KONTIJIET TAD DAWL U TA L-ILMA. Mux cajta tqum kuljum fl-4.30am biex tmur ghax xoghol u tasal lura id-dar at 8pm! GHANDI LIL OMMI U MISSIERI MORDA U XJUH MA NISTAX MA NIRRITORNAX LURA GHAWDEX JIEN KULJUM. U HAWN HAFNA BHALI. Jekk hawn xi hadd li ma jikkompatix sitwazzjonijiet bhal dawn jixhet l-ewwel gebla!!!

Vivienne Pace

Mar 9th 2010, 13:37

To all those who posted comments against Gozitan commuters.

Huma ftit min dawk il- 1,100 haddiem imsemmija f dan l artiklu li kitbu il- kummenti taghhom. Huma dawk li qatt ma esperjenzaw il- hajja ta haddiem Ghawdxi li kellhom il- wicc jaghmlu allegazjonijiet fuqna l- Ghawdxin li ahna imhajmin.

Taf x naf, hafna mil- Maltin li jigu Ghawdex jaghmlu dan biss darba f gima u jigu biex jistrihu u ovjament jaghzlu granet ta bnazzi biex jaqsmu sa Ghawdex. Ghidli int kif tista tifiehem sitwazzjoni bhal din meta ghadek ghazla meta taqsam?

Kif jistghu jikkunfermaw shabi li jkunu fuq il- vapur tas- 6.00am, biex tilhaq il- vapur tas- 6.00am trid tkun ix xatt ta l- anqas fil 5.30 biex tirkeb, dan jfisser li trid titlaq min fejn toqod mhux aktar tard mill 5.10 li jfisser li hafna haddiema bhali jqumu madwarl- 4.30.

Biex nivjaggaw mic- cirkewwa ghal postijiet tax- xoghol taghna nonfqu iktar min €100 fix- xahar.Dan jeskludi l- spejjez tal- vapur (li jigu reimbursed).Iktar milli flus,ahna il-haddiema l ghawxin niehdu bejn 5 u 6 sieghat kuljum biex imorru u nigu mix -xoghol. Dan huwa hin bizejjed biex shabna il- Maltin jaghmlu part time waqt li ahna inkunu naqsmu ghax-xoghol.

Anthony Grech

Mar 9th 2010, 13:36

Really, you can argue till your blue in the face, no one is building a bridge to Gozo. The sooner everyone accepts this the better. Fair or unfair it doesn't matter it is just never going to happen.

M Camilleri

Mar 9th 2010, 13:35

@ C Cassar
Sur C Cassar, if you can't "really can't believe people are moaning about a 20 minute ferry trip", then believe it. Titkellem ghax mintix int fiz-zarbun! Ejja ghix Ghawdex int ukoll u ipprova itla xoghol kuljum u ara tkunx difficli ghalik ukoll.. imbaghad nahseb malajr iddawwar il-hsieb.

Skond int, Sur Cassar, I or gozitains "don't have right to a job".. jekk ghadhekk ma tafx, the right to a job is one of the fundamental rights of the humans u li tkoprih il-kostituzzjoni ta Malta. Li tigi int u tnehhili id-dritt ghax xoghol qed tiksirli dritt fundamentali.

And moreover, you cannot force us Gozitains to change.. we have the right to live in our residences in Gozo without incurring the need to spend money on transport and alternative accomodation in Malta.

U jekk toboghod daqshekk lil Ghawdxin hallihom ha jghixu u jahdmu Ghawdex halli ma jkunux f'saqajk Malta.

Franco Scicluna

Mar 9th 2010, 09:15

To ALL - Looks like there is quite a debate going on, and some of you seem intent on taking a stand against a fixed link. Everyone and sundry is entitled to their own opinion, but the fact of the matter is that very few of those opposed to building a bridge actually need one in the first place. Cost and environment seem to be the two most underlying factors against it.

A private conglomerate can probably take care of the cost issue and market it for all its worth. As for the environmental impact this is not the first bridge built – I’m sure greater minds than mine have thought similar issues through. In terms of visual impact, well tunnels or even underwater floating tunnels do exist (take note c.cassar)

What all this boils down to is that the issue is not how, but why. Gozo sorely needs this link - businesses on both ends will benefit, as will students, tourism, communication, workers and pretty much everything in between. At the end of the day, that is the only point. Why focus on silly issues and claim bombastic cost figures? We'll cross that bridge when we get to it.

Christian Sciberras

Mar 9th 2010, 02:31

C Cassar - Actually, one of the pillars of the pysics of tunnels is pressure, which as you may have guessed, the longer the tunnel, the higher the pressure.

L Donoghue

Mar 9th 2010, 01:27

I am reading this from Sydney, Australia, where we have very serious problems of inadequate transport infrastructure due to massive costs and disgracefully inadequate government action and planning and resultant long commutes to get to jobs are the norm.

So I sympathise with you extreme commuters, it takes a huge toll on individuals, families, communities and economies. Who wouldnt rather spend time with their family than stuck on a bus/car/ferry for long hours?

Hey, to build a world class Gozitan university is heaps cheaper than a bridge/tunnel, creates quality local jobs, can complement the landscape (hold an architectural competition for the buildings, like our beautiful Sydney Opera House), a source of pride, assist education for the youth, lovely rural setting by the sea ...etc etc. Retrain workers (that may need it) into technical jobs at the university.

Sounds like a win-win situation to me. Minimal cost and environmental impact, status building, forward thinking, job creating, and maintains Gozo's iconic island status. And utilises workers already available.

How about less bridges and more lateral thinking? Who wants to be a commuter anyway, whether by bridge, tunnel or ferry? What a waste of time, fuel, family life and quality of life.

Clive Gerada

Mar 9th 2010, 00:12

To make bridge you need the money, a good stability and assess the impact on environment. For the next 100 years keep using the ferry or think about a tunnel. I also hear from some Gozitans that they would like to have indipendence, if they really want that it means that they are capable to live detached from the sister island.

george farrugia

Mar 8th 2010, 23:44

To Jason Pace...you complain that in gozo there are no accountancy firms and no audits... no wonder... no one keeps accounts there ....I bet there are not even cash register repair men..the silence of the cash registers is defenning by its absence whenever I visit Gozo..

Robert Zammit

Mar 8th 2010, 22:39

MAKE BIRDGE .....

fbonello

Mar 8th 2010, 21:18

@s. Caruana
"il-vera msieken ahna l-Ghawdxin".........saqsi lil-Ghawdxin li jahdmu bhala skrivani mal-gvern go Malta jekk humiex imsieken. Jekk ma tafx dawn jorganizzaw il-mini buses biex imorru lura lejn Ghawdex fit-3.00 pm KULLJUM meta suppost jispiccaw fil-5.15pm!!!!!! Dan sew?

Johnny Xerri

Mar 8th 2010, 21:05

@ Franco Farrugia,

you said:
Why should there be 'risks' now? For donkey's years, Gozitan workers and students always managed to cross over to the mainland. Are we going to start moaning now, so that we will make way for what would mean to be the end of Gozo as we know it?

So when it comes to your believes donkey's years count. So if we speak about hunting you believe that time has changed. It seems that only you are entitled to qoute donkey years or else modern years.

Contradiction at its best

E.Cini

Mar 8th 2010, 21:02

@Muscat Pat
Those who travel to Europe very often do it for a few years and their income is worth doing it.
Gozitans in Malta is a different story.

E. Formosa

Mar 8th 2010, 20:45

As somebody said before me, it takes guts for a government to propose such a thing. So much that all governments have avoided mentioning any bridge/tunnel connection for the last 40 years! I'm sure that public opinion has changed greatly since then. I hope that the large number of citizens in favour of a connection on the facebook group and recent discussions will lead to a serious and constructive analysis of what is needed if Gozo is to keep on progressing rather than having the 'brain drain' that has been occurring for so many years.

L.Xerri

Mar 8th 2010, 19:59

As I explained before and also as other contributors to this blog have elucidated,Gozo is slowly turning into an old people home,with no opportunities for the young who are moving to Malta in hope of finding greener pastures.Today you mentioned the figure of 1100 people who daily transit to Malta for work,but I can assure you that it is more than that. This number is destined to grow dramatically and I wouldn't be surprised that in the future some Maltese will resent the competition given by the Gozitans for the limited job market that Malta offers .By having a permanent ,all weather connection between the island,the prospects of more jobs created in Gozo will increase as any potential investor will remove this daunting 5km of sea out of the equation. Please,do not let Gozo become a mega geriatric ward!!! . .

C Cassar

Mar 8th 2010, 19:55

@ Steven J. Camilleri: While the Channel tunnel is much longer, the maximum sea depth is much less. Also the undelying strata between Malta & Gozo is made of much harder material than that under the Channel. Length isn't the issue, in this case it's depth & strata. Also, the cost of a crossing will need to be paid for, so forget anything like the €8.15 it costs now. You's probably be looking at something like €50+ at least in order to recoup the building cost of a tunnel. Another issue would be safety, with the standard of Maltese driving a road tunnel would be a death trap. A train shuttle would need to be used (as in the Chunnel) which would raise the cost siginificantly and also slow down the crossing times due to loading/offloading. Basically, it would be totally impractical both from an economic and usability perspective.

V. Bonello

Mar 8th 2010, 18:39

@Muscat Pat As you well know bridges or tunnels are nothing new around the world. Other countries have invested in better connections between islands and countries than sea travelling subject to bad weather and limitations according to time table schedules. Do you call the persons in these countries owning a bridge or tunnel as persons who 'moan' too? Why is it that people who are NOT being affected about something they extremely want to prevent it from being EVEN proposed despite the fact it is beneficial for many others?

Steven J. Camilleri

Mar 8th 2010, 18:30

I am a Gozitan that travels between the islands every week. What is best is a tunnel more than a bridge. Bridges are an eyesore and we cannot mess around with the natural beauty our islands offer. Moreover, if anyone believes that a tunnel is very expensive, why don't they realize that Gozitans fork out an average of Eur8.15 per week, that is Eur408 per annum. If 1,000 Gozitans travel each day, that is Eur408,000 per year lost from all Gozitans that wish to travel to the main island for work and study purposes. Therefore, in conclusion, a price for a tunnel is a price well spent. The government can regain a considerable amount of money from toll fees for using the tunnel. Just as one pays to travel from England to France etc... P.S. The channel tunnel, known as the Chunnel which links the South of England (Near Dover) to Northern France (near Calais) is 30miles+ in length. The channel between Malta and Gozo is just over 3miles. Therefore, anyone saying that a bridge / tunnel could not be engineered here please get your facts right before stating an outright lie.

Anthony Grech

Mar 8th 2010, 18:25

Why is anyone even talking about building a bridge or tunnel. It will never never never happen, do you really think any government has the guts to do this? DO you really think there is enough money to do this? Do you really think that this will ever happen? I would sooner expect the Med dry up before we could get our act together to build something like this. We couldn't build a bird house without 20 years of discussions. So what ever your thoughts forget it, it aint happening.

Muscat Pat

Mar 8th 2010, 18:10

Many Maltese, especially those involved in marketing, travel to mainland Europe 4 and sometimes 5 times a week. They wake up early, wait long and tedious hours to make it to their destination. They don't complain and they don't moan. That's life.

V. Bonello

Mar 8th 2010, 17:55

@ Mario De Bono
With regards to your comment starting with 'Kemm ahna imhajjmin hux!' & your other comment 'That's the biggest mummy's boy excuse I have ever had the misfortune to read' when you referred to the article, I have a question for you: Have ever tried and tested the experience of travelling and studying everyday in order to judge?

Also with regards to your questions about who is going to pay, I again have another question; Have anyone ever asked who will pay for 'it' prior to most projects made and expenditures spent in our country? Why only now you and many others are posing this question?

George Gauchi

Mar 8th 2010, 16:51

@C.Cassar,

You said yourself " Change to adapt or get left behind, many others have so you have no excuse".That`s what many Gozitans want Change because we have been left behind for many years now and I say the same words that I heard a couple of weeks ago between two Gozitan businessmen who said that Gozo`s main competion are the Government and the Maltese it`s them who are keeping Gozo backwards.We need change like the rest of the world for the future of us and our children.

Jason Pace

Mar 8th 2010, 16:29

With the one thousand one have to add the many hundreds more who had to live in Malta because there are no jobs in Gozo, like me. People like me had no choice. There are no IT companies in gozo, no accountancy firms and audits, no pharmaceutical companies, no betting companies, no engineering firms, limited government jobs and the list goes on.
Was it our choice to go to Malta??

Edward Spiteri

Mar 8th 2010, 16:17

MIN JOQGHOD JGHID KONTRA L- BRIDGE HU MIN MA JAQSAMX KULJUM LEJN MALTA, U LA GHANDU BUSINESS GHAWDEX U LANQAS HUWA GHAWDXI BHALI JGHIX MALTA MINHABBA X- XOGHOL U BOGHOD MILL- FAMILJA.
MA DAWK L-ELF RUH LI JAQSMU KULJUM HEMM MIJIET OHRA LI KELLHOM JIGU JGHIXU MALTA BILFORS.
iMMA HAWN KULHADD JAHSEB SA MNIEHRU.

A. Curmi

Mar 8th 2010, 15:55

Whether or not a bridge is built, it doesn't make a difference for me and yes I am Gozitan and yes I have to carry out my studies here in Malta on a weekly basis. I personally think that if Gozo Channel provides the ferry service more frequent, i.e. rather than having trips every 45 mins, there should be trips every 15 mins 24/7!! Also the bus service should also be 24/7 and be coordinated with the ferries' arrival. I think by a simple solution like this many problems would be solved and increase convenience and even less car usage by having an efficent transport service.
Also I think it would be a good idea to fix the existing university branch in gozo and start to provide actually decent courses (and not just agricultural one's) such as BED and BA courses which can be easily held and are popular courses among Gozitan students.
Also something needs to be done about the job situation in Gozo; decent qualified jobs in Gozo are inexistant simply by looking at the ETC site one will find mostly waiter jobs so no wonder many Gozitans work in Malta

C Cassar

Mar 8th 2010, 15:26

@Franco Scicluna: your calculations are way out. 23km is just under 15 miles. At 24mpg (or that's 38km per gallon) that's just under 3 litres of fuel (4.5 litres/gallon), so total cost is around €3. Also, if you have a 1.3litre car, you should be doing at least 45mpg. My 3 litre diesel is giving me 47mpg.

Mary Buttigieg

Mar 8th 2010, 14:50

NO NO NO NO N OOOOOOOOOOOOOO NO BRIDGES. We ar Gozitans although it is difficult at times to travel to work every morning for peanuts, however we are proud of our heritage and our little island, and we definitly Do NOT want to end up like Malta, this is the reason why the Maltese like to spend their days of rest in Gozo and leave all the pizza boxes and the resdt of their rubbish behind. Do us a favour and pleaseeeeee. KEEP GOZO TIDY OR AS YOU FOUND IT. ThankYou.

Franco Scicluna

Mar 8th 2010, 14:43

@ C Cassar - Check the real world mate - 24 mpg works to 18l in a 23 km trip, which is what I managed this morning . I drive a fiat, with a 1.3l engine, and it has a 41 l tank. AND FYI, I have had to move to Malta because of work. And like most Gozitans, I have had to get used to a lot very quickly. But what would you know anyway? Family & friends in Gozo, errands I need to make are in Gozo plus, having to put up with cold, wet and worst, hot weather and ever increasing prices. Condescend much?
Alas, you missed my point by a full mile. I was referring to people who found themselves having to travel daily for work. A fixed connection would, if anything, benefit them as well as everyone else. Why turn it into a personal issue at all? Why berate others about it? When Special Concessions for Gozo (vis a vis tax and fuel) was thrown around recently were it not people like you who felt it was unfair to Maltese? By all means tell us, what would you do? Move enveryone and sundry to Malta?

l.Xerri

Mar 8th 2010, 14:41

To all those who still dream of Gozo as an idyllic rustic island which can be transformed into
an eco destination,I have one thing to say.DREAM ON!
Gozo needs a permanent connection to Malta,possibly a bridge or a tunnel,which should form a part of highway from one end of Malta to the othe end of Gozo. contrary to popular beliefs, the sea between Gozo and malta is not really deep and with modern technology available today it can be done and in less the time taken to build Mater Dei.,that is if there
is the political will to do it and the project is entrusted to reputabile bridge or tunnel building
firm.

M Tabone

Mar 8th 2010, 14:36

@ M Camilleri

"Trid tkun bla hniena biex tikteb hekk..."

Frankly…. people residing in Gozo don't require the hniena of any Maltese counterpart – MSciberras. This section is for comments and for all type of comments ranging from one extreme to the other. Gozo requires equal opportunities and equal importance. On the other hand it is understood that living in Gozo should remain distinctive - a beautiful rose cannot be complete without sharp thorns. The good thing about it is that Gozitans grow strong and resilient enough to withstand the thorns and live a peaceful life in the odour of the roses. Life is about choice and priorities, most Gozitans choose Gozo as the better island because they think it’s worth the hassle.

Lino DeBono

Mar 8th 2010, 14:23

Sir,
Gozo is isolated from the rest of the world. It takes 41/2 hrs to travel to & from. Some arguments are valid whist others are very banal. Previous studies were done by the Japanese and Chinese regarding depth and currents. So the Govt has all the required information for the bridge.
There are several pros and cons regarding the bridge. So a serious national debate is a must.
University students who had the misfortune to travel in rough weather to Sa Maison, arrived at about 9a.m., 3hrs after leaving Gozo. Exams started at 8a.m. Gozitan students arrived at 9.30. Time lost was not compensated, and this with all the turmoil that students had during the voyage.
Helicopter link was to expensive for people to commute on. Apart from Gozitans having a lower standard of living, additional costs will make life worst.
So please lets have a nationwide debate on this subject. After all when Portugal joined the E.U. money was supplied by Brussels for their 2 wonderful and long bridges.
After all Gozitans are Maltese citizens as well.
Even the Pope and Malta's Curia forgot about Gozo and Gozitans.
What's new if the Govt does?
Lino DeBono
Xewkija

MSciberras

Mar 8th 2010, 14:18

@ M Camilleri

Ir realta hi li hi habib. Ghalfejn noholmu fuq pont li qatt m'hu se jinbenna..........ghax jiswa wisq flus u anke teknikament, jist jkum li hemm il-problemi li ma jistawx jigu solvuti daqqshekk malajr? Fl-ahhar mill ahhar, jiqba fatt li biex Ghawdex jkollha ekonomija kumpluta kif ghandha Malta, jkollna naghmlu kollox doppju - ajruport shih f'Ghawdex, free port f'ghawdex, zoni industrijali kbar f'ghawdex.....u x'jiqba minn ghawdex umbad?? Fid-dinja kullhadd jipproffitta mill gid l-ghandu u nghata...... Il gid t'ghawdex huwa c-cokon partikolari ta gzira zghira u l'ambjent Semmejt s-settur finanzjarju. Dan hu wiehed mis setturi li jista jinbed u jkattar il gid f'Ghawdex. Imma sfortunament, hafna jipprefferu jkunu Malta ghax Malta ssib certu massa ta nies u 'skills'. Din hija r-realta habib.

C Cassar

Mar 8th 2010, 14:03

@ M Camilleri: You certainly do not have a right to a job - nobody has. Why should someone else 'have' to give you a job? Why should they be forced to employ you?

If the work isn't in Gozo then move. This might be financially more stressful but that's hard luck, why should someone else bail you out? I really can't believe people are moaning about a 20 minute ferry trip. Many travel to work in other EU countries and live there from Mon-Fri in order to support their families. That's the workplace today. Change to adapt or get left behind, many others have so you have no excuse.

I have colleagues in the UK who commute 2hrs each way each day by train into London. On top of that they have to then get the tube, to and from their local stations etc. They don't have to do it but it is their choice because they want the additional income that the opportunity creates by requiring further travelling.

S.Caruana

Mar 8th 2010, 13:53

il-vera minsijien ahna L-Ghawdxin.
il-progetti kollha Malta qed isiru.

Haga kbira il-Politikanti isibu mhezz biex jirrispettaw it-tbatija li ta` kulljum qed ikollna nhabtu ahna L-Ghawdxin fejn ghandu xjaqsam Trasport.

Il-Vapuri Komdi imma l-HIN XORTA MITLUF.
Kull filghodu tahsbek li sejjer Sqallija ghax il-hin li hemm mitluf huwa hafna,biex tirkeb fuq dan l-imbierek vapur.

Il-Kumdita ghandha tkun mhux biss filghodu imma anke filgahxija.

Kontu tafu hbieb li jekk wiehed jitlef il-vapur ta` 8:30pm ikollu jistenna siegha biex jirkeb ma` iehor. Tal misthijja.

it-trips ghandhom ikun spiss filghaxija, dan minhabba l-fatt li il-haddiema jkunu qed jirritornaw lura darhom.

Mhux cajta ta` haddiema tal-Gvern bhal ma` huma n-Nurses dawk li jispiccaw fis-7pm jispiccaw jaslu d-dar fxi 10:30PM. Tkellmu ma` l-Ghawdxin u jghidulkom min xhix ikollhom ihabtu wicchom.

Nifehm u napprezza hafna is-sussidju li jinghata lil haddiema tal Gvern rigward spejjez ta` Vapur u akkomodazzjoni lill-Studenti u haddiema, pero haun hafna li jipreferu jaqsmu lura biex igawdu lill-familjari taghhom.

Nisperaw li xi darba jifhmu darba l-dejjem li lGhawdxin meta jmorru MALTA, MA JMORRUX Vaganza imma biex JAHDMU ghal l-ghixien taghhom.

Il-Maltin sintendi jiehdu hafna gost jigu bil-Vapur gax Vaganza jigu tista` tghid is-sena kollha, u l-Bridge isir jew ma jsirx mhux ser ihabblu rashom.

M Camilleri

Mar 8th 2010, 13:41

@MSciberras

Trid tkun veru bla hniena biex tikteb hekk:
"Gozo's economy is tourism, agricultural, small craft based industries and the like......it can never be anything else........And many gozitans are always going to have to migrate to Malta to find work".
Jiena ghawdxi u ghandi il-familja Ghawdex.. LA IRRID U LANQAS NISTA NEMIGRA LEJN MALTA. Warakollox ghandi dritt li nghix u nahdem fil-post fejn nghix. Jekk int Malti, u ma jimpurtakx mil-Ghawdixin ikun ahjar taghlaq halqek u ma tikkummentax. Ghawdex ma huwiex post ta l-agrikultura u snajja biss. Ghawdex ghandu potenzjal kbir. Ghandu hafna nies gradwati u hemm potenzjal kbir biex lil Ghawdex ingibuh centru finanzjarju tal-gzejjer Maltin. B'hekk noholqu xoghol ghall-ghawdxin li jridu jaqsmu kuljum. Id-dispjacir hu li Giovanna qatt ma hasbet ghall-gid ta l-ghawdin u ma ghamlet xejn biex tghinna intaffu il-problemi.

Janet Bayes

Mar 8th 2010, 13:33

@Franco Scicluna - - - no I do not live in Malta - - I live in Gozo. As for the trip to work? Been there, done that. Have worked all my adult life, with much longer trips and more traffic than you could shake a stick at.
Your journey to work was 2 hours and 30 mins. (not the 3 and half you claim).
The cost is not purely economic to you as a person. It is to the environment, the rest of the populace, and Gozo as a whole.

George Gauchi

Mar 8th 2010, 13:19

Please if you are not Gozitans please don`t comment in NEGATIVE, you have to be a Gozitan to know who it fells to wake up every morning before 5.00 am just to get ready for your daily classes or work then you have the rough weather and then you have those dreaded buses and the same thing to get back home to Gozo in the evening,everyday about 4 or more hours just wasted just to go to lectures or work, 20 years or more ago we had good jobs in our island home of Gozo but now -a-days if you want a job one have to go everyday to Malta so yes we do need a bridge or a tunnel and please don`t bring the excuse of the enviorment impact there are other things that are more damaging and no-one gives a hoot about it, I don`t know why are we still treated as second class citizens or as little children.

Anthony Grech

Mar 8th 2010, 13:04

Ah yes a bridge to Gozo. There is a greater chance of building a bridge to Sicily than this happening. We cant even build a small bridge in Malta without there being massive delays and still there are problems. Can you imagine what a mess a bridge to Gozo would be?Would you even trust a bridge over the channel, built by us? And as for a tunnel, what are you people thinking! There isn't enough money for the schools or hospitals WHAT IS WRONG WITH EVRYBODY!

Martin Farrugia

Mar 8th 2010, 12:45

Forty years after man set foot on the Moon, we are still finding it difficult to come to terms with the most blatantly obvious solution to Gozo's double-insularity problem - the bridge.

Technically, I am sure that it is not as difficult as the nay-sayers would like to have us believe. Anyone who sees what projects are being undertaken at this very moment, in the most unlikely places across the world would surely realize that a measly 1.4 km bridge from Malta to Comino, and a 1km bridge from Comino to Gozo, with a connecting road in between, is certainly not an impossible feat.

As for the costs, both monetary and environmental (though for the latter I seriously doubt if there are any) they pale in insignificance when compared to -at least - the human benefit such a physical connection provides to thousands of Gozitans who travel to Malta on a regular basis.

Unfortunately, the motto 'Iva, Flimkien Kollox Possibli' seems to exclude the most obvious possibilities.

Stephen Forster

Mar 8th 2010, 12:31

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Fahd_Causeway

take a look its easy......

C Cassar

Mar 8th 2010, 12:30

@ Franco Scicluna: Half a tank of fuel? Most cars have at least a 40 litre tank with the majority having 60 litres. So, let's be conservative and use 40 litres. Half of that is 20 litres. A small car will use around 5-6ltres of fuel per 100km, a larger one 10 litres (if it has a 3 litre engine or equivalent but then will have a60 litre+ tank anyway). So, at worst case you have at least 200km of fuel being used simply to drive from Gozo to Malta and back. Where are you doing these kms if you are simply driving from anywhere in Gozo to Mgarr and then from Cirkewwa to anywhere in Malta? Malta is only 26km in length. Even the never maintained buses which belch out black smoke can't use this amount of fuel.

It sounds like you have a problem with exagerration with all of your claims. If you don't like the commute then move. It's as simple as that butand think before you put your ridiculous claims in writing.

George Vella

Mar 8th 2010, 12:28

@ Franco Scicluna

Well said Franco. These people who are trying to patronise us Gozitans in the way we should feel about our hardships and extra expense we have to to go through our daily lives, they have no idea what they are talking about because obviously they are all based on Malta. What do they know about the extra time we need to plan ahead for catching a flight, for example? Or to just cross over to Malta for an errand or two, when all they have to do is just walk out their door and go straight to where they need to go without a second thought? So PLEASE, all of you Malta based people, STOP treating us like second class citizens!! We already had & have our various governments doing that!!

Daniel Cassar Alpert

Mar 8th 2010, 12:12

this is a facebook group that is pro to the idea of a bridge/tunnel between malta and gozo.. so far there are over 4,500 members.. http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=291369156738&ref=ts

M.Gauci

Mar 8th 2010, 12:04

Let us reclaim from the sea the south and north Comino channels and turn them into a green area. Malta has become too small and when joined Gozo, Comino and Malta will not be so claustrophobic. God only knows, we need the breathing space.

mario briffa

Mar 8th 2010, 11:56

To add to Franco Scicluna's comment, one cannot but mention that if you're taking the 6am ferry you have to be in the queue by 5.15am otherwise you will be left behind. Because even though you're on time for the ferry if there's not enough space left on the ferry you'll be left out. The other option is leave your car to rust at cirkewwa and then take the run for it in the heavily pouring rain or scorching sun or severe winds. I finish work at 8pm and the next ferry is 9.20pm when it leaves on time. So I arrive home at 10.15. What does Franco Farrugia have to say to this? And this is our life all year long.

MSciberras

Mar 8th 2010, 11:54

Stop dreaming. A bridge between Malta and Gozo will never happen because of the huge cost due to the depth of the sea between the two islands and the nature of seabed. This before even considering the ecological impact. A subsidized air transport service will cost less than the famous bridge of pipe dreams.........and that will never happen either..........Gozo's economy is tourism, agricultural, small craft based industries and the like......it can never be anything else........And many gozitans are always going to have to migrate to Malta to find work.

@Franco Farrugia: I spent some time regularly commuting between the two islands. On a normal day, it took me 15 min to get to Mgarr from Ghajnsielem, 20 min waiting for ferry, 25 min crossing with ferry, and one hour to drive to Valletta (including parking time, walk to office and in rush hour). Two hours in the morning and slightly less in the evening as I tried to avoid the rush hour. Come on its not so bad.......use the time on the ferry to meditate....:) In bad weather it is obviously worse so my sympathies for you this morning..........but to reside in Gozo compensates for dome bad weather surely....

David Grillo

Mar 8th 2010, 11:46

Well done for the photo Nicholas!

Mario

Mar 8th 2010, 11:46

I'm still waiting for the Cirkewwa terminal after 16 years of promises in every pn electorial manifesto. Now gov telling us that what is doing in cirkewwa is on temporary structure what a SHAME on you and btw the gov had been promising at least 5 target dates finally the cirkewwa terminal would be ready that were 2003, 2006, 2007, 2011 and now if this target date would be kept with 2012 the perfect time before general election. This morning i was on the ferry that instead of 7am as it is sheduled left gozo at 7.15 am and not because of weather it is an everyday problem the fact of leaving 15 minutes after it is scheduled. by then not mentioning that instead of the north 'terminal' the ferry got in the south 'terminal' and for the public transport we have to run and then some 30 to 50 steps from the stairs till finally we got on the normal way to the buses. SHAME on the gov that says that takes alot of care for the gozitans. hahahaha shame on zi............

Mary Briffa

Mar 8th 2010, 11:43

Who cares we're Maltese and don't have to cross over to the little rock for work, i guess the gozitans say we are lucky, well YES we are thankyou. goodbye.

Paul Barrett

Mar 8th 2010, 11:42

A bridge to Gozo would not be 5 Km long, it would be in two parts, one and a half Km and less than one Km as there is solid land in between Malta and Gozo. This would not be impossible in length (the Severn Bridge in the UK is just under 3 Km long).
Against building a bridge is of course that it would totally ruin Gozo as an isolated tourist attraction (which the construction gangs/speculators building out of place boxes and even skyscrapers are doing at an ever faster pace anyway).
Gozo would gain in some ways but loose in many other ways.

N.Grikas

Mar 8th 2010, 11:40

The government should invest in a floating bridge linking the 2 islands, with the bridge being in itself part of a wave energy power plant (ie the energy of the waves is converted to electricity).

One wishing to invest in Malta will first study the running costs, these include also the water and electricity bills (besides the cost of wages, etc). If Malta will not invest in renewables, it will inevitably become less competitive and too costly for one to invest. AND THE PROBLEM IS that we are already too late!!!

saviour visanich

Mar 8th 2010, 11:35

Akashi Kaikyo Bridge
Vital Statistics:
Location: Kobe and Awaji-shima, Japan
Completion Date: 1998
Cost: $4.3 billion
Length: 12,828 feet
Type: Suspension
Purpose: Roadway
Materials: Steel
Longest Single Span: 6,527 feet
Above are some statistics on one of the worlds longest bridges, so image what building a bridge twice as long would cost us. I think that a bridge between Malta and Gozo is just wishful thinking, unless we happen to strike oil.

Franco Scicluna

Mar 8th 2010, 11:15

@ Franco Farrugia - donkey's years ago we did not have the same means of communication as we do now and also, donkey's years ago, Gozitans did not have to sit while millions were shelled out to buy all new ferries and build terminals. Cost much? I have a suggestion - sell the ferries. That should help start things off nicely. Without any desire to delineate Maltese and Gozitans and the pitfalls that asound therin, Why would anf of you belittle the mammoth time, effort and expense suffered by those who were uprooted from their job in Gozo because of the ever escalating cost of running any kind of operation there? Gozo is saturated by the bottle neck that is the ferry service! How about any of you trying your hand at a rough sea voyage this week before travelling another hour or so to go to work? Then apply same going home. Then try to cook/clean/rest and start all over the following day.

All that just because it is difficult to benefit the minor percentage of the population. Just because it will look ugly or cost much. Hah, that sounds fair coming from those who are most comfortable.

J Borg

Mar 8th 2010, 10:45

I believe it would be much more easy for the government to build a university in Gozo and possibly provide more job opportunities in Gozo rather than building a bridge.

M Tabone

Mar 8th 2010, 10:37

The issue of permanent connection between the islands cannot be rubbished because of monetary issues because if truly feasible – and so far no one provided evidence otherwise - private consortia can be interested venturing is such business, provided that the right conditions are in place.

In addition, there is a public service obligation on Government to continue upgrading the connectivity between the islands, to ensure that Gozitans are provided the required assistance to circumvent unpredictable impediments. Maltese citizens residing in Gozo are bound be live the characteristic of islanders living on the sister island. To be frank, nowadays the service improved substantially and most of the travelling time, if well planned and utilized can be a plus in itself, reading- or socializing-time.

The hardship resulting from the 5kms stretch of salt water adds muscle to formation and stamina of Gozitan workers and students that are constrained to use service regularly. Malta and Gozo are one state and any kind of progress will be beneficial for all, if well planned and balanced with the geographical and environmental splendour of our islands. It’s about commuters - daily, regular or occasional - and not about Gozitans or Maltese.

mike turner

Mar 8th 2010, 10:11

Please do not dream, neither a bridge nor a tunnel would be financially feasible. The engineering problems are far too difficult, and where would the money come from. Pianoland, Delimaragate, Enemaltahofra alone will gobble up any spare funds, even including any EU funding which can be obained.

D stellini

Mar 8th 2010, 10:07

have you heard that Greece is building bridges to all its islands ? There are advantages of living in Gozo, but also some disadvantages in inclement weather - so stop moaning

Franco Scicluna

Mar 8th 2010, 09:59

@ Janet Bayes - Do you reside in Malta Ms Bayes? Do you also maybe have a full time job? How long did it take you to get to work this morning and how much did it cost you in fuel and ferry services? Let me break it down to you - this morning I woke up at 5 am and was sitting in Mgarr at around 6.05 am in the miserable cold. With no exaggeration whatsoever, I managed to get to work (on birkirkara bypass) at 8:35 am. 3 hrs 35m, suffering unfair boarding procedures on the ferry, rough seas and about half a tank of fuel (both ways, approx 8-10 Euros). Not to mention the occasional ferry smelling of chicken excrement. Plus the fare - Euro 8.15 (tonight). Now tell me, what economic impact would you be referring to? Your taxes or the stupid cost Gozitans have to absorb to travel to work. Try owning a business in Gozo and having to shell out more to ship goods from Malta to Gozo than it would cost you to ship them from Taiwan to Malta!!!

Franco Farrugia

Mar 8th 2010, 09:52

Why should there be 'risks' now? For donkey's years, Gozitan workers and students always managed to cross over to the mainland. Are we going to start moaning now, so that we will make way for what would mean to be the end of Gozo as we know it?

Paul Barrett

Mar 8th 2010, 09:50

A quick note to Gozo Ferry people reference their website.
If you are going to change the price of the ferry service, at least have the gumption to change the price shown on the website. It is aggravating that on the same morning you work out your costs for the journey from the website and have the correct money to hand over but then having to fork out more at the toll booth.

James Dimech

Mar 8th 2010, 09:34

So does Mr Abela expect anything ? Does he expect that we build a top notch university in Gozo or that we should further compensate Gozitans ?

Paul Abela

Mar 8th 2010, 09:32

There are always two faces to a coin. True, building a bridge will alleviate hardships but it can also lead the way (very probable) of making Gozo non eligible for EU funds (NUTS 3) as an island region with "Regional Distinctiveness"...or do I have it wrong?

Mark Vella

Mar 8th 2010, 09:31

True it's difficult to cross from Malta to Gozo at times, but do all these people who are suggesting bridges and tunnels between the islands know what there is between Malta and Gozo and how deep the sea is? From what I heard the sea between Malta and Gozo is amongst the deepest in the Mediterranean, so building bridges or tunnels in very deep water is a very difficult task and probably very expensive. So now everyone is suggesting these structures, then if the government does do something, everyone will be writing about the expenses and why the government spends our taxes like they're toilet paper... etc... etc... Please stop commenting blindly, not only about the gozo-malta issue, everyone just shoots comments in the air without knowing half the facts about the subject! We love moaning and commenting so much here in Malta that sometimes we forget how better off we are compared to other countries!!

Janet Bayes

Mar 8th 2010, 09:22

Pleeeese. A bridge? Do you have any idea of the environmental impact of building a bridge? Or the cost in monetary terms? You do know that the wind rain and sea will all have an effect on its opening times in winter? You do realise that once the environmental issues have been addressed, and the costs to build have been found that it would need more maintenance than anyone will realise? One cannot simply demand a bridge be built without understanding the impact on the local eco system or the economy as a whole.

John Farrugia

Mar 8th 2010, 09:15

We'll have to hope that it can withstand the weather conditions though...

Joseph Grech

Mar 8th 2010, 09:13

Last Saturday, Minister George Pullicino announced at Marsaxlokk that fishermen's demands were being met and works at this port would commence as soon as "go ahead" is given by MEPA. Now Hon. Pullicino, what about Marsalforn breakwater??.... Property owners in this lovely bay had already suffered damages few week ago and so it happened during this night, when a Grigalata was in full force.... Hon. Minister Giovanna Debona, please don't hesitate to raise this important work for benefit of Marsalforn... Secondly, now that works in Cirkewwa terminal is expected to commence, the Government must ask advice to make Cirkewwa an all weather destination because when Grigal or Xlokk is in force, ferry boats find great difficulties to moor along the quays.....It is important that this suggestion be considered and please our Maltese compatriots don't begin to suggest about the bridge, because this is impossible due to financial problems both to erect it and more important about its running and maintenance....So please help us Gozitan in these difficulties.

Vince DeBono

Mar 8th 2010, 09:04

On the other side of Marsalforn lies the harbour called Mgarr which is used for ferry operations. Usually, when Marsalforn is so rough because of the direction of the wind, The south side of Gozo is in the lee and less stormy.

Ah the bridge ..... how it would sway in these conditions ... or maybe not depends on design... Who would finance a bridge? ... Who would finance the maintenance costs? ........................And how much would the crossing (tolls) cost the average Gozitan student or Maltese student?

Christopher Micallef

Mar 8th 2010, 09:02

But the government has already been left without any adequate finances due to the long-term policy of 'money no problem' !

Besides, we cannot build proper roads up to major EU country standards, have a hospital which took over 20 years to build, one can only imagine how the whole process of building of a bridge woud be planned...

Charles J. Buttigieg

Mar 8th 2010, 08:49

In similar inclement weather during the days of the Helicopter Service, the Gozitan commuters did not avail themselves of the air service because they reachoned it would work out cheaper to stay home. Now they want a bridge. Perhaps even another bridge to Pozzallo would make our lives more comfortable.

S. Caruana

Mar 8th 2010, 08:47

Naqbel mieghek perfettament. Hemm bzonn li jibda jigi discuss fil-parlament dwar tentattiv biex xi darba, xi darba ma` nafx meta jinbena dan il-famuz `bridge` bjn Malta u Ghawdex.

Biex inkun onest is-Servizz tal-Gozo Channel huwa tajjeb, pero mhux tajjeb daqs kieku jkun hemm `b`ridge`. Hemm diversi ragunijiet fosthom li dawk l-Ghawdxin li jahdmu Malta tonqsilhom it-tbatija u jifrankaw hafna hin.

Ghal l-Ekonomija ta` Ghawdex biex tmur il-Quddiem jehtieg dan l-investiment li jsir il-`Bridge`. Hemm wisq spejjez ghal dawk bil-bussiness f`Ghawdex minhabba li qed dejjem minbarra li qed jahlu hafna hin biex jitwasslilhom il-prodotti taghhom qed jiffaccjaw hafna spejjez.

forsi ftit jafu, bir-rispett kollu lejn il-Maltin, u employers li meta haddiem jaqsam Malta ghax xoghol jew Universita jew forsi xi qadja fl-isptar Mater Dei, kemm irrid ibakkar kmieni biex ikun jista jaqsam bil-Vapur. Naf haddiema inkluz jiena li jaqbda il-Vapur tal-5Am jew tas6am biex forsi jaslu fid-destinazzjoni taghom. Irridu niftakru l-inkonvenjenza kbira li hemm biex povru haddiem jaqsam minhabba ragunijiet ta` Maltemp. Tista` timmagina l-istonku kif ikun fil-veru sens tal-kelma IMDARDAR.
jekk tispicca xoghol fis-7pm malta tspicca tirritorna Ghawdex ghal xi 10PM minhabba din l-inkonvenjenza.

Kultant nisthajjilni sejjer Sqallija daks kemm hemm hin mitluf.

Il-Bridge u ferm importanti mil-PROGETT TAL-BELT.

D. Scerri

Mar 8th 2010, 08:47

I would say an underwater tunnel should be more appropriate so that the channel view is not spoilt.

Mario De Bono

Mar 8th 2010, 08:44

Kemm ahna imhajjmin hux! In greece people travel overnight to get to work from island to island. Come on, its only a 20 minute trip across. You'd think thes seas arond Malta rival the ones around Cape Horn, to hear this guy talkng. So many people come over from Gozo, and so many do not complain. They want it that way. "Not in the right frame of mind to learn"....Thats the biggest mummy's boy excuse i have ever had the misfortune to read. So should we invest in a possibly multi billion project to construct a bridge. Who will pay for it ? What is the payback period? what economic benefit would it be to Malta as a whole? Can anyone answer these questions?

j.sac

Mar 8th 2010, 08:34

may you be reminded that not only students go to malta but workers too. plus all the life at hand are at risks taken by gozo channel

joanne zammit

Mar 8th 2010, 08:29

That is why the Government should seriously consider a bridge....