Arriva may appeal depot decision

Transport operator Arriva is considering filing an appeal to contest the planning authority’s refusal to build a “crucial” bus servicing depot in an agricultural area outside the development zone in Żebbuġ.

Describing the Malta Environment and Planning Authority board’s decision as “unexpected” and “unjustified”, Arriva’s managing director, Keith Bastow, said he was “surprised” at the outcome of the hearing.

The Mepa board threw out an application filed by Arriva, which is due to take over the public transport system on July 3, to build the depot saying “virgin land” did not need to be “sacrificed”. Instead, the board suggested using alternative sites that had already been developed.

Mr Bastow said he disagreed with the board’s decision, which was “disappointing”.

“We still believe the Żebbuġ site is the best solution for providing the space and facilities needed to support the national transport reform and we are assessing the situation with our partners in terms of an appeal,” he said.

The German-owned company plans to build two depots, one in Malta and one in Xewkija, for the regular and heavy maintenance of the buses. The public transport service will be run by Arriva for the next 10 years using a fleet of over 200 buses.

It chose the Żebbuġ site, which covers 9,116 square metres, because it is central to the company’s operations and close to the main roads.

Although it was recommended for approval, several Mepa board members disagreed with the project and the vote ended in a tie – four against and four in favour. Board chairman Austin Walker used his casting vote to make it five against.

Mr Bastow expressed surprise at the decision, especially since no objection had been raised in previous meetings with Mepa officials, including Mr Walker. “We also met Mr Walker, so all parties were fully aware of our needs on this important national project. At no time did anyone raise any issues about our requirements, proposals or the application. Indeed, if there had been any doubt or criticism, we would have worked with them to address any issues,” he said.

The project had been recommended for approval because it fell under the open storage policy, which allows 10 per cent of plots to be built up if they are outside scheme but close to industrial areas. In fact, one corner of the plot, owned by the Tumas Group, which formed part of the winning consortium with Arriva, was close to a main road, across from the Għar Ram industrial estate.

However, two board members and two members of environmental groups argued that the project should be moved to an industrial area or an area that had already been developed.

The location was important for “running efficient services” and its proximity to the main roads reflected the company’s thought in reducing congestion, not adding to it, Mr Bastow said.

“Our proposal was for a modern state-of-the-art depot incorporating all the latest environmental benefits, including exhaust fume extraction, noise insulation, recycled water in washers and capture and treatment of waste oil,” he said.

The company made a “considerable commitment” to delivering the reform with “significant investment” and “it is hugely disappointing that it could now be run out of a second-hand unsuitable building instead of a custom-built facility”.

However, Mr Bastow is not giving up hope and said the company remained committed to starting on July 3. “As with any large and complex project, not everything goes the way you would hope. We are now focusing on our contingencies,” he said.