For more southern comfort

Even the most objective observer would find it hard not to notice a huge discrepancy in the number (and scale) of projects for the Cottonera area between the Labour era and successive Nationalist administrations. The list of projects include one of the best homes for the elderly we have in the country, one of the state-of-the-art secondary schools, a developed waterfront at Vittoriosa with a Casino and flourishing yacht marina, and a regional sports complex among many others.

It is therefore no surprise that the long anticipated Dock One project is now, as we say, a “work in progress”. It forms a central part of the vision that this government has for the Grand Harbour vision that combines an increase in economic activity and, concomitantly, an embellished environment.

This project clearly shows that this government has serious plans for the south of the island. Projects like the cruise ship berthing facility at Boiler Wharf in Senglea and the large project, again work in progress, now mushrooming over the horizon in Ricasoli, Smart City Malta, clearly show that this government is implementing its policies for a better community in this part of the island. These projects will eventually create a good number of high-end jobs. Not “work in progress” anymore is the economic success at the Vittoriosa waterfront and the marina itself.

It would have been much more difficult to finance such a project without EU membership. Suffice it to point out that this project is co-funded 85 per cent from EU funds and 15 per cent from our own Maltese coffers. The government has already secured EU funding for landscaping works to be carried out in this area. This amounts to €7.5 million, from a total of €9.3 million of an EU funded project, in EU jargon known as the ERDF 104. In simpler terms this is the Stronger Cottonera Communities which is an integrated project also involving the local councils, the Housing Department and Aġenzija Sapport.

The project has a far more significant political (not necessarily in a partisan sense) meaning when one considers that such a beautiful area as the Cospicua waterfront is being given back to the people of Cottonera (and Malta), 47 years after our independence. Surely it must represent one of the very last vestiges of our British colonial era.

This project is made up of a number of components. One of these is the landscaping of Dock One itself. The idea is to convert the unused industrial site into a high quality recreational and leisure space for all the family. There will be improved access to the dock from all sides, that is Vittoriosa, Senglea and, of course, Cospicua. This is a historically sensitive area and, during excavation works carried out over the past few weeks, paving dating back to the mid-1800s, that is, the English period, were discovered. The majority are made up of limestone square slabs. Some hard stone (żonqor) slabs were also un­covered. The Heritage Planning Unit is seeing to it that heritage is properly conserved.

Another crucial component in an area such as Cottonera is certainly housing. This part of the project has been partnered by the Housing Authority. In it the common areas of two housing areas in Cospicua, namely St Nicholas Married Quarters and the Verdala Housing Estates, will be renovated and rehabilitated. The main objectives include the rehabilitation of this housing stock through improved accessibility, energy efficiency and improving housing conditions. The completed project will see regeneration of this particular housing area and is envisaged to renovate 94 households, hence improving the quality of life for around 200 residents. Budget allocation for this sub-project stands at €1,465,000.

Contrary to these plans, the San Ġwann t’Għuxa Project is completed. This involved the upgrading of St John’s Bastion in front of a residential area and was partnered with the Cospicua local council. Works included a new lighting system, fixing of benches and a mix of soft and hard landscaping.

The social aspect is never far away in Cottonera. Dar Andrew, in conjunction with Aġenzija Sapport, will be embellished with upgrading of streets and public spaces to improve accessibility and mobility for persons with impairment. This is a three-month project totalling €76,000.

Last but not least is the transport component. This forms part of the national bus transport strategy carried out by Transport Malta, in which a revamped feeder bus route for the Cottonera area will be in place by July 2011. This should ensure better accessibility and mobility of all areas in Cottonera.

This project covers the recreational, housing, social and transport needs of communities that have suffered long enough from neglect and degradation. Certain problems will not go away overnight but such environmental uplift surely helps to create a better environment.

I urge all Maltese who do not live in these areas to visit our south – now. Only thus can they appreciate the changes that are and will be taking place in this populous and historic part of Malta.

The author is a Nationalist MP for the second and third electoral districts.