Thomas Zerafa, Naxxar
The advantage of having a Malta-Gozo fixed link
I have always felt that as a resident of Malta the question of a Malta-Gozo bridge is more of interest to residents of Gozo – after all, the great majority of us travel to Gozo mainly for fun, and boarding the ferry is part of it.
I found the article ‘Minding our gap’ by Franco Mercieca (The Sunday Times, January 23) of great interest as it tackled a lot of issues from the Gozitan point of view which we residents of Malta very often overlook. Very importantly, Mr Mercieca showed that a fixed link to Gozo also makes a lot of economic sense.
However, a decision in favour of this link has its benefits even to us. Given our geographical size and the population density we can ill afford to treat Comino as if it doesn’s exist.
With an area of 1.5km this desert island, once it is linked to the two islands, can be harnessed and easily turned into a national park.
An afforestation programme would ensure large patches of greenery instead of the bare rock we stare at today.
Indeed, with taste and sensitivity we could turn this desert of an island into something beautiful for the enjoyment of all Maltese where one can walk with the sound of nature. I know this is a dream – we are not creative.
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Franco J Scicluna
Jan 30th 2011, 19:11
Dear All, I dont want to be pessimistic, but unless Gozo has a strong say in parliament in the mannar of a Gozo party representative, nothing will ever materialise for the island.As it is ,we will always be in Serie C .
James A. Tyrrell
Jan 30th 2011, 16:35
@John Portelli. As always the idea of an air link comes up and the idea is the same as it has always been, stupid. How is an air link going to solve anything for anyone apart from the odd few who can afford to use it? All you are talking about is the further destruction of the island and the peace and quiet of the island to satisfy a few people who want somewhere to land their toys. What Malta and Gozo needs is something that can be used by all the people especially those who have to commute on a daily basis and that can only be provided by a fixed link of some description.
I would however suggest that any fixed link should by-pass Comino because far from being turned into a national park it would become a modern day arena for developers to fight over.
Peadar Farrell
Jan 30th 2011, 11:37
Just imagine it. We could have all the developers from Malta travel over in convoy and build on every square inch of land, public or private.
John Portelli
Jan 30th 2011, 13:28
Gozo needs an airlink. Today, in the 2011, we Gozitans should have this option. Mr. Peadar FArrell, please don't get too carried away. We have enough development in Gozo and Malta and we are seeing the number of applications for development has dropped enormously. Building development is always based on supply and demand. Thousands of the vacant properties below to whole families whose family home is waiting to be divided and to those thousands and thousands of maltese emigrants who emigrated and wanted to keep their homes here in Malta. Capisce.
Pawlu Scicluna
Jan 30th 2011, 14:15
John Portelli NO John, we do NOT need an airlink. We had the helicopter and still have the AFM helicopter for an emergency. We do not want more of our Gozitan island destroyed by the environment rapists. We've had enough destruction of our environment. Don't play the part of some of the foreigners who want to continue raping our environment and destroy our Islands characteristics. Those who don't like it can go elsewhere and build an airlink on their islands not on Gozo.
W Spencer
Jan 30th 2011, 14:40
@ John Portelli
Surely it should be ......" demand and supply " ?
If there is a demand for SOMETHING, then supply would be the logical answer But as there appears to be no DEMAND for yet more properties to be built, there is no necessity to SUPPLY more unwanted / uneeded properties.
John Portelli
Jan 30th 2011, 17:04
I am Gozitan and I want some form of an airlink. Whether it's a helicopter of something else. People keep hiding behind the environment. This is nonsense, pure nonsense. IF good laws are in place and heavy , I really mean heavy fines are put in place, the environment will be protected. And the environment and pollution of our environment is not just from overbuilding, but chemicals used, dumping of garbage all over, having large barriri tal gebel on our beautiful coastline, etc, etc. So please don't preach to me about the environment as I indicated I am gozitan and here to stay. Stop this nonsense about going somewhere elswe.