Bugibba/Qawra being spruced up - model to be extended to other localities

Michael Sammut

Jul 1st 2010, 18:25

What about triq il-Porzjunkola in Qawra? I am living there for already 9 years and we are still inhaling dust and considering that it had to be surfaced till 2008!!, and rubbish accumulating all around.

ray sacco

Jun 24th 2010, 20:17

and what about rubbish collecting.......this same morning all the bugibba promenade was full of plastic bags and a large amount of loose carton boxes running around (close to mcdonalds). thursday is the recycled bags collection day, only this happens in the afternoon. so the thursday mornings on the promenade becomes an exhibition of grey plastic bags plus loose carton boxes as our warm welcome to tourists! the bugibba/qawra promenade is an extensive stretch of shops, restaurants and hotels and so this area cannot be considered in the same way as residential areas. rubbish collection should take place earlier and green wardens should watch this area so that rubbish is not exposed all day waiting for collection!

ray sacco

Jun 24th 2010, 19:43

@censu galea mp: mr.galea, i don't like politics, so my comments have nothing to do with red or blue, but a lot with our (residents) frustration . have you ever walked from the bella vista hotel to fra ben? i walk it almost every day. the litter and rubbish scattered by the trees behind the boat houses is disgraceful. i agree, it did not fall from the sky, but this rubbish has been lying there for months, if not years. and what about the shameful state of the area between ta fra ben and amazonia. dust, rubble, grass tall as trees, and all sorts of rubbish...........this area has been abandoned or used as an eye sore car park for years! it would revamp all bugibba and qawra if transformed into a park with plants and flowers. it would be costly, but consider it an investment! tourists always return a wonderful place. have you walked through residential areas where pavements are in a disastrous state? qawra/bugibba residents have a reason to be irritated! this area has been neglected and abandoned for years by "our" local council (which appears more like an alien to us), let alone the central government!

censu galea

Jun 24th 2010, 15:25

I have purposely waited for 48 hrs before sitting down to comment on the various comments that have been posted.

It is obvious that some of those who have commented would not have written what they wrote, had they bothered to visit the place, starting from the one who stated that the fountain in the square is full of filth when this fountain has been removed several years ago and the corresponding space laid with concrete blocks instead.

Others have repeated their usual claim about filth and other mess. I am sure that several of those involved have actually not been around for sometime. Otherwise they would have at least realised the improvement that is taking place.

As far as I know neither rubbish bags nor dog pooh comes down from the sky. All know that it is human beings that are responsible for the presence of such material, even though the change of attitude is visible in many areas.

To try and justify their words, some of those who wrote try to imply that cleansing does not take place regularly.

It is about time that those responsible for any illegality stop pointing fingers and instead behave correctly.

Censu GaleaM.P.

Malcolm Broughton

Jun 24th 2010, 14:52

As a frequent visitor to Malta and Qawra, please allow me to comment on the sprucing up of the Bugibba / Qawra area.
As a popular tourist destination, the first time visitor will inevitably take from their stay, an overall impression of the island based on the locality.
On my last visit, I witnessed from the terrace of my hotel, the Santana, a lone street cleaner, equipped with nothing more than a long brush and wheelie bin, attempting to keep the environs of Qawra clean, an impossible task.
Access EU grants, employ more human and mechanical street cleaners.
Increase the number of litter bins, and of course empty them regularly.
Encourage local people to take pride in their area.
Provide proper recepticles, not plastic bags.
Promote recycling, especially of plastic bottles
Provide skips ( free of charge ) on a regular basis for non - household rubbish
Ensure that the daily refuse collection is done properly

I will, on my next visit, offer the Mayor of St Pauls' Bay, 1 days labour, free of charge, cleaning the streets. I can be contacted via the Times or the Hotel Santana from the 24th October.

Yours
Malcolm Broughton.

c muscat

Jun 24th 2010, 07:18

these are all gimmicks what about the back streets that are in a pitiful state . Bars that have taken over pavements and parking spaces with loud music going on after 11.00 pm.
No maintenance of pavements is ever done. What about Qawra point project. The fra ben kiosk has had a private road done for him it seems??/
Seems election is approaching

Joe Fenech

Jun 23rd 2010, 20:05

It would be better to plant trees to create shade rather than putting shrubs!

J.Cauchi

Jun 23rd 2010, 15:14

This government has really become a pathetic circus! It organises a conference to celebrate the repainting of a bench!! They should rename Castille. Fawlty towers sounds much better.

mariopandolfino

Jun 23rd 2010, 14:26

Appell lil membri tal gloom and doom ta Malta.Ghaslu wasla sa perched beech ta Bugibba ,sal bajja ta Fra Ben u sal wall garden ta fejn il Gilleru u araw xi gmiel hemm issa .Kunu ghal darba pozitivi.

mario pandolfino

Jun 23rd 2010, 08:57

Keep up all the good works .Prosit u komplu sebhu lil Malta u Ghawdex taghna

ray sacco

Jun 23rd 2010, 08:56

@c.cassar:
i hope you're not one of those who come to bugibba / qawra in the week end and:
park your car while residents keep roaming around to find some where to park their car some ten minutes away from home; urinate at any residential corner; leave take away left overs wherever; come strolling the promenade with all your family and dog every sunday afternoon.............................. and then blame the residents for the mess!

ray sacco

Jun 23rd 2010, 08:32

@c.cassar:
1.bugibba and qawra are the busiest summer resorts on the island. in summer, they are invaded by thousands of tourists and maltese. so please don't blame it only on the residents
2.the rubbish, dog filth and all the mess you mentioned can be seen all over the island not just bugibba and qawra.
3.the general feeling in malta is that the public does not care for the environment if it looks like a dump but can be sensitive towards a new clean cared for area.
4.bugibba and qawra are the main tourist hubs in malta. government investment there would render back revenue for the government.
5.don't you come across any dog filth where you live mr. cassar?

JOHN O SCERRI

Jun 23rd 2010, 08:06

While giving merit to this initiative I must state the phrase: ' Its not how to clean but how to keep clean' .

This area has an influx of more than 40000 external summer residents from various parts of the island as well as tourists.

The quantity of waste generated is way beyond expectations .

Apart from this, one will always find the many... 'me ne fregisti' ......who litter streets and sidewalks .

The dog litter chronic issue does not seem to see any finalisation ... Dog owners please comply.
The underpath leadng from the 'Gillieru' to the slipway is a dog litter track .

The promenade is marked with large black garbage bags and boxes from evening till dawn .

It is proposed that local council step up serveillance, increase frequency of waste collection during summer months. and an all year round street sweeping and washing campaign since this area is a never ending building site and residents are fed up of all the dust and noise.
Building sites: Audited regularly by site inspectors in order for them to be always incompliance with regulations.

More action is urgently needed over the whole area, not only the promenade.

Carmel Dimech

Jun 23rd 2010, 07:50

I think this shot was taken in Porzjunkola street :) Ah Sorry, made a mistake as they're very similar, both are surfaced and both have decorating plants. Halluna! over 7 years ago Gonzi promised to resurface this street but this goverment is notorious for fake promises.

J FARRUGIA

Jun 23rd 2010, 07:45

I would like to make a suggestion.

Designate some roads, parking for residents only

As in summer we cannot find any parking.

A. Pace

Jun 23rd 2010, 07:35

@ M Attard below:

While I fully agree with you re the VEEERYYYY chaotic daily parking situation in front of Gormina and the dire need of wardens AND policemen (ghax jien rajt pulizija b'ghajnejja stess ghaddejin mill-chaos u qisu m'huma qed jaraw xejn!!!), please note that cars parked in street corners SHOULD be booked as well ta, 'cos these TOO create a real hazard..you have to experience the consequences of such recklessness yourself biex tkun taf x'igifieri u titkellem il-pura verita kollha!!!

And another thing..I've said it before and have ABSOLUTELY no problem stating it again..SPB Local Council = BRODU MHAWWAR like I've never seen before in all my life..Hafna kunsillieri biex isahhnu s-siggu u jinghu kemm ghandhom area kbira x'jiehdu hsieb..forsi l-haxixa hazina gol-Wardija ghandha bzonn l-attenzjoni tal-kunsillieri..'cos that is the impression you're given if you speak to anyone of the councillors..What impresses me, however, is the great number of times the SPB Mayor manages to make news during the 8pm TVM Ahbarijiet..mela x'jigri li kieku vera jibda jsir ix-xoghol nill-Kunsill kif ghandu jsir?!!!

Vladmir C Forte

Jun 23rd 2010, 02:40

How much was invested for all these plants compared to the investments and restructuring of the south of Malta and around the Valletta Harbour ? ? Why can't St Paul's Bay accommodate at least two cruise liner ships a week during the summer season to generate some business or at least keep a 20 year old promise and build a proper yacht marina ? ? Why is our locality attracting more single parents, Africans and eastern immigrants resulting in over 20 different nationalities in our local primary school ? ? Why over 20 Hotels closed down these past few years ? ?


I will tell you why.......because nobody really cares. Our locality is not just the Bugibba promenade Mr Prime Minister & Co. Our locality stretches from Wardija all the way to Xemxija FYI....and thank you for the flowers.

Moira Montesin

Jun 23rd 2010, 00:22

Hemm possibilta' li xoghol ta' tisbih isir ukoll fil waterfront ta Triq il-Marina l-Imsida?

Nahseb li din hija wahda mill-iktar toroq importanti peress li hija wahda min dawk principali li jwasslu ghall kapitali, izda il faccati tal-bini taghha xej m'huma attraenti, kemm ghat-turisti kif ukoll ghal-Maltin stess.

Dennis Zammit

Jun 23rd 2010, 00:06

Pity that none of those present where toured or shown the various countless illegal encroachments that are being created every day including illegal use of yellow marking paints by shop owners and foods outlets who have no authority in creating reserved parking bays and/or illegal parking bays in front of their premises.

Regretfully, although declared illegal by some Govt. Departments, these have no authority to remove them and one created, they are there for ever to the detriment of the neighbours and those visiting the area.

Action is really needed. Anyone can see Spring Street as an example!

Ona different angle, illegal 'buildings' such as tented restaurants on the sea promenade find it cheaper and easier to pay the daily fine imposed by MEPA and don not bother to remove the illegal structure to the detriment to the environment. Pity no one has the capacity to enforce MEPA's orders! Laws are there but enforcement is no where to be seen.

A.Gauci Cunningham

Jun 22nd 2010, 22:24

................and this is the closure (or seasonal closure) of so many hotels some of which are The Limelight, The International Club, The karanne, San Anton Hotel, Santa Maria Hotel, Bugibba Holiday Complex (which only opens in high season now), The Suncrest (which only opens in spring/Summer) and the closure of so many restaurants and shops scattered all over the place. I invite anyone who thinks I'm painting too much of a black picture to ask shops here whether it is true or not that business in Bugibba has hugely plummeted in recent years due to a general decline in tourists, an influx of cash strapped teenagers who barely have enough to buy an ice-cream and the lack of investment in infrastracture in the area especially when compared to Sliema/St.Julians!! But we're obviously expected to forget all this and go to vote for "our" Local Council come 2011 ghax Gonzi gie jara l-fjuri!! U tghid mhux hekk nibqghu!!

A.Gauci Cunningham

Jun 22nd 2010, 22:13

Takes some cheek to try and garner a couple of brownie points by showing your face in Bugibba Mr. PrimeMinister. Bugibba prides itself with an incompetent, good-for nothing Local council which has left our roads covered in filth and rubbish of all sorts ranging from dirty nappies to litter to dog poop which "adorn" our streets for days on end with no sight of a street cleaner . Business in Bugibba has been left struggling and trying to make a buck here has become rather impossible thanks to the fact that infrastracturally Bugibba is one of the worst tourist resorts in the Mediterranean with broken pavements and rust becoming 2 of its hallmarks. The "sandy beach" is an embarassing joke and all those who live in this area know that while most of the sand imported has been lost or scattered around on neighbouring rocky areas, throughout most of the year the sand is held back leaving a sorry view of pipes and pieces of plastic. This is not doom or gloom or mere perception there is a sad but real fact that proves the neglect Bugibba has been left to rot in cont/...

Michael Scicluna

Jun 22nd 2010, 21:38

Well done Prime Minister to visit Qawra and Bugibba and see what a booster it got for your visit. Politics apart in 1987 the then Minister of Tourism also came to Bugibba and Qawra to plan a revamp of the sorry state the place was in. Unfortunately he did not have the pleasure to see it done in his term of office, in fact it was not even started until 1997/8 when the real revamp took place under another Minister, and now you found the time to come and see it finished rather re finished. Thank you for your presence and trust that you will visit the place more often in order to get the rest of the place in ship shape not just for Tourists but also for the local Tourist, who are contributing taxes towards the upkeep of the resort.

d castillo

Jun 22nd 2010, 21:37

whatta joke!!! hahahahaha!!! sorry if i just split my sides laughing but sprucing up the promenade does NOT solve bugibba's worst problem... FILTH!!!

we have lived 2 roads up from the piazza & promenade for the past 12 years and have yet to see a street sweeper here. we sweep the front of our property and below the pavement every day, but just a bit of breeze can blow rubbish from other parts of the street in front of our property again!

cars are abandoned in this street and the "parking" area close to triq it-turisti on a regular basis. dog poop, papers, magazines, torn garbage bags, plastic bottles, chicken bones, beer cans, you name it!

even mattresses and furniture are left for months in front of people's houses, in the hopes (i would imagine) that bulky refuse appear magically out of thin air to remove them!!

i feel embarassed when i see tourists walk down our street on their way to the piazza and have to step over this sad, daily disaster.

sometimes i wonder whether we are living in the EU or in Mumbai

I.Calleja

Jun 22nd 2010, 20:31

The initiative is a good and important one which hopefully will give a boost to this area which has experienced a lot of problems during the years as tourism and business have apparently declined here! So well-done from that aspect!!
BUT....i bet my little fortune that in the next few months a good number of things (e.g. pots, gravel, plants etc..) will be vandalised or stolen....as happens in most similar cases of upgrading!! Has the authorities/departments/offices in charge kept in mind this never-ending problem very common in the Maltese Islands?? Have any CCTV cameras been installed or any systematic patrolling of the area been launched?? What measures are being taken to safeguard the money spent (from taxpayer's pockets) on such much-needed upgrades?? If nothing will be done about security im sure that in a few months time these upgrades will become money down the drain!! Let''s protect our tourist areas from these vandals and we move one step further....people responsible for damages and for stealing things are caught and prosecuted and heavily fined!! Please!!!

Marcel Dingli

Jun 22nd 2010, 20:22

VOTES TALK !!! The electoral district which comprises Qawra/Bugibba? St Pauls Bay was the one with the highest abstensions during the last EP elections. Trying to recoup Dr Gonzi ?

Mario Aquilina

Jun 22nd 2010, 18:09

What a bunch of potato heads.
Another Monaco. Wow, I'm chuffed.

m attard

Jun 22nd 2010, 17:58

The Qawra/St Paul's Bay/Bugibba areas have definately been given more attention over the past few years than they were ever given before. However, the ongoing maintenance required to keep the area looking good is not being done. The St Paul's Bay local council is a total flop when it comes to follow up. The only services that seem to come out of this office are permits for cranes & ticketing orders to wardens. Park your car in a corner and get a ticket..... yet pass by Giormina on a Sunday morning and you'll be lucky if you're able to drive through the chaos.

I fully agree that the residents in these areas are a mix of idiots and well educated people. However, on the contrary to C Cassar's comment hereunder, I would urge the Government & local council to work together on educating the general public. We need to see wardens walking around and taking a genuine interest in their surroundings, educating people by talking to them, issuing fines where absolutely necessary, and passing on the public's feedback to the local council. Only then will residents feel that they really from part of the local community.

jmercieca

Jun 22nd 2010, 17:39

Prosit tal-idea!

G. Galea

Jun 22nd 2010, 17:39

@ Mario Scerri : When was the last time you visited the square at Bugibba? The fountain was removed several years ago... I could not see the fountain up to a few minutes ago let alone the rubbish in the fountain!

S. Falzon

Jun 22nd 2010, 17:35

Excellent initiative. Works should be coordinated this way or else we'd end up with sporadic maintenance exercises.

Charles Micallef

Jun 22nd 2010, 16:49

Thank you Mr Prime Minister for your 'first' visit to our area and for getting things moving forward in Qawra and Bugibba after many years of TOTAL neglect.

We needed the Pope visit's to get the roads resurfaced around Malta and the Prime Minister to get things moving in QAWRA & BUGIBBA....which makes one ask the question WHY????

S.Grech

Jun 22nd 2010, 16:18

Good Job . Now the MP's should visit Bugibba at least once a month so will will have a nice decorated town within 6 months . I live here and most of the work done was made in one day new pots , removed all the rusty old yellow phone boxes ,road marking zebra crossing ,all the boat houses have been painted , painted advertising U bends , rubbish bins have been also painted ALL THIS IN ONE DAY YESTERDAY 21ST June

Julian Esposito

Jun 22nd 2010, 16:02

Is it time to revisit the Xghajra promenade to fix the design choice errors made last year? The new railing and it's massive concrete base are so high that the actual coast, rocks and all, cannot be seen from road level. This view, which has been enjoyed by the residents since time immemorial is being denied. Also, the coast road is now a forest of poles. The original design had specified knee level embedded down-lighters to illuminate the pavement. Instead, we have high, light polluting, view obstructing lamp posts that, particularly by day, make me feel like I am caged in from the sea. I'm sorry, but there have been quite some bad design choices made here. Very disappointed and will definitely take it into account when the general election comes next time round, unless something is done to remedy the situation. Also need to see how the landscaping around the new sewage plant turns out, because I am really doubtful that it can be hidden from view unless you intend to plant some gigantic trees there.

mario scerri

Jun 22nd 2010, 16:02

Dr Gonzi tal-par idejn sodi,

Ara vera ma tafx tishi. Mela l-ewwel hallejtu bugibba ssir mandra biss biss il-funtana li hemm fil pjazza ma tahdimx kollha skart ikar tista ssejhilha skip milli funtana

Dan kollu ghas semplici raguni li hu progett li sar fi zmien Gvern Laburista ta Dr Sant. Mbad facelift ejja ha mmorru biex tiehu l-mertu int.

P.scicluna

Jun 22nd 2010, 15:58

I suggest a round this time Mr Prim Minister in paceville( we are not under privilaged ), st julians and st Georges bay. Please advise when you are coming so we tell construction workers not to come on that day.

S Vella

Jun 22nd 2010, 15:37

"Said the model had proved successful and would be extended to other tourist localities"
When will it be the turn for the "Ponta" and the "Xatt ta L-Isla"?? abour time to have an upgrade and road surfacing

Janice Buttigieg

Jun 22nd 2010, 15:30

This work should considered as routine maintenance and not used as a photo opportunity for the Government. As pointed out by U D'Amico Bugibba/Qawra is not just the sea front. Perhaps the Prime Minister and his entourage should have visited the streets away from the sea front and see what we residents have to endure every day. Just one week ago I fell, due to a very uneven pavement at the bottom of St Mary's Street. I tore the ligaments of one ankle and badly sprained the other. There is dog mess everywhere, rubbish left out at all times of the day. I could go on , the list is never ending.

John Felice

Jun 22nd 2010, 15:09

Hats off for the initiative.
However, this sort of maintenance should be done on an ongoing basis, without any pomp and ribbon cutting. The fact that the Prime Minister considered it necessary to do an on site press conference is proof enough that this is a one-off media photo-shoot instead of a commitment to continuous improvement.

U. D'Amico

Jun 22nd 2010, 14:48

"Said the model had proved successful and would be extended to other tourist localities"

If they make all the other localities like Bugibba.. it will be end for tourism in Malta!

Bugibba is not the front area near the new "beach”. (Which while it was being given the blue flag, the other authorities issued a warning not to swim in the next beach up (few mtrs away) because of drainage overflow!) Bugibba is a huge locality in which the council is not doing anything to upgrade and improve. Even if no regard is taken re locals...at least for the tourists not living on the front, something should be done to the whole area!

Everyone has to endure the shabby state of the place..

Dog dirt everyone
Uneven pavements (up and down for garages instead of a small ramp)
Unmarked parking slots… nice idea for ticketing the tourists…
Wardens coming around (surprise) at 23.00 during a worldcup game instead of allowing the business to get some..
Roads are a far cry… if it wasn’t the central government repairing a bunch of roads after last years rain disaster…the LC did nothing on the matter
No proper traffic management

The list is endless..

ray sacco

Jun 22nd 2010, 14:25

and what about the grass jungle eyesore mingled with rubble, dust and all sorts of rubbish which stretches from fra ben up to the amazon night club? is this area going to be turned into a lavish park just like the ones in sliema and st.julians?

C Cassar

Jun 22nd 2010, 14:17

Great job and more positive attitutide being displayed by the current government. Now let's wait for the always negative critics to turn up. Who's first?