Kappara residents: chosen junction protects the valley
Kappara residents believe Transport Malta chose to go ahead with the most environmentally friendly option to solve the area’s long-running junction bottle-neck problems.
Building a bridge over the present Mikiel Anton Vassalli Street supported by pillars on the banks of the valley – in line with existing building and development footprint – addressed concerns on air quality and traffic management, they said.
Resident Ruben Overend stressed that the proposed bridge crossing what is known as Regional Road will mean losing only 20 square metres of land, considered as an area of ecological importance in Wied Għollieqa.
This, he said, contrasts with the 155 square metres impacted by the original proposal.
Moreover, the impact of the original proposal on an existing bird sanctuary in Wied Għollieqa would have been twice as bad as the second option.
The original proposal had suggested four slipways on either side of the current road as well as raising the whole road on pillars, which would cost some €4.5 million to expropriate between seven and 10 buildings on the Gżira side.
This would have included The Cottage restaurant as well as the relatively new block of flats behind it. It would also mean closing such an important thoroughfare for two years.
Mr Overend said residents were “pleasantly surprised” to hear Transport Malta favouring the second option, which was similar to proposals by an engineer they had appointed. The option will now be considered by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority.
He said residents were also pleased the decision was not taken to “shut us up” but on the basis of detailed technical studies that delved into the pros and cons of each option.
According to a technical report commissioned by Transport Malta, including a feasibility study, the second option was preferred because it would cut pollution levels through shorter driving distances, although the two would both cost around €24 million.
Mr Overend said the favoured proposal would not destroy the valley as the pillars would be placed on its banks and not protrude more than the existing building line.
Mr Overend, who sits on the Kappara Residents’ Association, admitted that the footprint of the chosen option is slightly larger than the original option but argued that experts said the flora earmarked for removal was not ecologically sensitive.
“Kappara residents would be plain stupid to propose a development that ruins the only source of oxygen in this extremely polluted hamlet. The results of the air quality studies have shown that we live in a highly polluted area,” he said.
Solving the problem of the bottleneck Kappara junction, the cause of much frustration for motorists, has been an objective since the early 1990s.
Once completed, the EU-funded project was expected to ease traffic on the four thoroughfares. Several attempts to solve the problem over the years have failed, including the much-criticised installation of traffic lights on the roundabout.
Popular Stories
Old buses, drivers to return
Former Judge Ray Pace found dead
Updated: Minister apologises for...
Three new Nationalist MPs elected –...
Where’s Everybody staff is given notice
Updated - Director of Prisons submits...
Update 4 - Eddie Fenech Adami stable...
Update 3 - Woman trapped as car crashes...
Revealed...the face of a Maltese woman...
In Discussion
Old buses, drivers to return
Updated: Minister apologises for...
Updated - Director of Prisons submits...
Enemalta seeking minimum five year gas...
Protected birds shot and trapped as...
Mario de Marco, Zammit Dimech concede,...
PN postpones salaries as financial...
Updated - PM's offer to Opposition MPs...
No appeals board for first part of power...
57 Comments
Post comment
Please sign in or create your Account to post comments.
Anthony Pace Gouder
Aug 22nd 2012, 15:05
Hopefully , and we pray that MEPA will STOP the nuisance here proposed !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Richard Cassar
Aug 21st 2012, 13:31
Where are the NGOs in this issue? Where is Nature Trust, guardian of Wied Ghollieqa after all the time, work and resources that they have invested into said valley? I agree with Mark Cassar in that the government is oblivious to the impact that this massive junction will have on this tiny valley, Unlike what Mr. Grillo seems to think tourists residing at the ajoining Hotel do enjoy the green lungs and the flora and fauna that this valley has to offer.
Anna Schembri
Aug 19th 2012, 16:30
We have lived in Kappara (Triq ir-Russett - Wied Ghollieqa side) for the last 33 years, and we have never been consulted about the new traffic arrangements.
brian compton
Aug 19th 2012, 09:09
they have got it so wrong it the Gżira turn and the Regional road coming from st Julians.
what would be better is a fly over for the Regional road
Kenneth Azzopardi
Aug 19th 2012, 09:08
So it seems that the goverment is calculating the costs of expropriating property this must defintely be the joke of the year since they never seem to pay up for the land they expropriate this is institutiionlized robbery which has been carried out by both sides. We should stand our ground and make them pay for the land at the same terms and conditions that the goverment sells the land when it comes out for sale by tender unless he want to share the experience of donating free land parcels to our citizens.
Gianfrancesco Buttigieg
Aug 18th 2012, 22:45
so instead of choosing to create a flyover on the existing road or absolutely destroying the valley by passing it over it, TM chose the latter because the valley doesn't have a vote. Isthu jekk tafu kif.
Where does it all stop?
Also remember that creating more roads doesnt really work in the long run due to traffic uptake and increase in population ... the smart way to do things would be to invest heavily in a well performing public transport system (including modern tram) and alternative transport which would also help motorists by drastically reducing congestion.... but no one seems to have the political will or energy to tackle our problems seriously....
Anthony Pace Gouder
Aug 19th 2012, 16:37
Anyone in his right sense of mind would have never considered or had the slightest thought of encroaching onto the small valley .
This is totally OUT OF PROPORTION , something that only a Minister with crude ideas and irrational advise would concieve !
After all ........ all this is being done because of THREE HOUSEHOLDS ! These residents have managed to postpone the construction of a proper simple fly-over for too long !.
Wouldn't it be wiser to relocate these residents and finally solve the problem while saving unnecessary expenditure ?
G Morrison
Aug 18th 2012, 20:44
Malta was a beautiful Island.Supported by tourism.Why continue to loose any tiny space you have for fauna etc in favour of healthof risk fumes from cars.Perhaps Malta's attraction used to be the massive history of this once beautiful Island.
Chris Grillo
Aug 19th 2012, 09:49
Now Mr.Morrison, your surname sounds English, as mine resembles Italian, although I am Maltese... can you tell me who the hell goes to see the flora and fauna in such a wildly prohibitive valley such as that in Kappara, in that area? Name me a tourist guide trip!
I am all for greenery and preservation of our environment, but let me ask you this, is my fuel and time worth more than some grass that holds no particular interest? I would say yes! And that has to be said because that valley has been spoilt for ages now, and has ceased to be of any ecological interest!
I am sure that the Kappara residents have their heads firmly on their necks in selecting the least intrusive option to help ease their stress, because driving through Kappara is indeed a stress...
Sometimes, you JUST have to give in to progress... well, progress.... if thirty years ago, the 'proposed trains' were given the go ahead, we would have a better transport.. just don't leave it in the hands of foreigners who think they know it all.....they don't know crap about our island....
Mark Cassar
Aug 20th 2012, 05:35
Mr Grillo, you have no idea about the time, work and resources that has been invested into said valley by the relevant NGO (Nature Trust). If you did you would think again. What irks me is that the government does know and is still considering throwing all that away for a number of residents; numbering three households? Because they do not want people to look at their swimming pools? The audacity is beyond comprehension, and the government is giving them validity.
Lawrence Fenech
Aug 18th 2012, 18:10
Junction will be ready in two years, this includes public holidays and summer recess for the contractor.
vince buhagiar
Aug 18th 2012, 16:30
Let’s create a pressure group independently who’s in the helm. If we join forces we are in big numbers and our voice will be heard. Politics is not the issue but justice is.
Let’s put red and blue aside on issues that hurts us all and find a way of stopping the ruin of our island.
Instead of talking about it lets do something about it.
If anyone has some good idea of accomplish this, I will be the first member.
Peppi Micallef
Aug 19th 2012, 01:03
How can I help Mr.Buhagiar?
vince buhagiar
Aug 18th 2012, 16:15
We are squeezed between, the elite, and the most common squatters.
The arrogance of these two groups in our society is making our lives impossible, and it’s seems that there is no hope of a solution in the nearest future.
The squatters from the elite society had ruined our island with stone and concrete where ever they found available and the common squatters imitated them with all kind of materials available. They occupied the very best spots of this tiny island and our possibilities of enjoying our own country is shrinking every day.
The most ridicule’s thing is, who pays every single cent in taxes and behave well in our society is the most unprotected. And those who most avoid paying their contributions and even more abuse the social services that are coming out of our coffers are the most who gain from the ridicules authorities policies.
We need a new order and stop this ridicules and miserable situation. We have to show the administrators that enough is enough and mentality must change who ever will be in the helm.
Let’s try to get back what’s ours by right and if not succeeding at least keep what’s left.
Express yourself and start changing. Now!!!!!!
Anthony A. Mifsud
Aug 18th 2012, 15:56
Saturday, August 18, 2012 by Matthew Xuereb
Good pictures, trees grow fast in that Valley, I just happen to live there and apart from the local Foana there is just prickly pears
If its artists impression, that Green looks good, make the artist a good saleas man.
Tell me what s going to happen to our proerty?
Ninu
Ivan Visanich
Aug 18th 2012, 15:28
Fully agree with michael sciortino,coming down from st julians to turn to kappara one could easily turn using the roundabout near the university,the only problem would be those heading from the st venera tunnels to head to gzira,they would either have to exit early and pass through msida or exit just before the regional road tunnels underneath the bridge and through mrabat road but yes the total elimination of the roundabout should keep cars flowing at all times reducing idle and noise pollution and all this can be done at the minimum cost in a weekends time.
Michael Sciortino
Aug 18th 2012, 23:14
There is no need to pass through Mrabat. Those from Kappara or Msida going to Gzira can turn before or after the tunnel and rejoin Regional Road in the other direction towards Msida and turn into Sliema Road. the problem with this junction is the relatively few cars that need to cross into Kappara or Gzira which stop the much heavier Msida-Swieqi, Swieqi-Msida traffic.
I never knew why this traffic arragement was stopped. I remember the traffic police used to open and close iron gates in the roundabout to allow traffic to pass through the middle of the roundabout. I would rather see this kind of sulution before considering this expensive monstrosity.
Michael Sciortino
Aug 18th 2012, 23:43
There should not be any problems for those coming from the sta venera tunnels towards Gzira. Such traffic could keep going straight and exit before the tunnels and take the slip road back onto regional road. From Regional road they can exit via triq reggie miller into rue d'argens or keep going down and exit via Sliema Road. Mrabat street is another option but it is better avoided. If the road before the tunnels is busy cars have the option to turn around after the tunnels by using the slip road to the left, turn right under the bridge and turn right again onto regional road and the tunnel.
James Wightman
Aug 18th 2012, 15:27
A projected time-scale of two years bodes well for an increase in commuting cyclists, that's a factor that was noted as part of the road works in Luqa last year.
James Wightman
Aug 18th 2012, 15:25
I'd like to see official traffic flow figures for each lane and routing options posted. Anyone know of a link.
Mr Victor Borg
Aug 18th 2012, 15:15
What about the shade that the overpass would cause? And the water-runoff from rain that will dribble down to the valley? These are all impacts on the valley's ecology: but the residents want us to believe that the impact is limited to the places where the concrete supports of the bridge will be sited.
Well, I have this to say: the valley is more important than the villas enjoyed by a handful of residents, and in the national interest the best option would be to save the valley and simply built a two-layered road at the junction. The resident's proposal - which has been adopted by that laughable government department called Transport Malta - is not in the national interest.
B. Storace
Aug 18th 2012, 17:32
I laud your comments sir and I would also like to know what precautions the contractor will take to protect the valley during the building phase(s) of the concrete supports. What about the cranes and other heavy machinery, which I'm sure will be utilised at some point, will they be placed in the valley and what about the conscientious worker known for carelessness igri u gerri?
Anthony Pace Gouder
Aug 18th 2012, 17:43
Only Three , at the most , HOUSEHOLDS border the existing roundabout ! Talking about 'Kappara Residents' makes one think its the ENTIRE LOCALITY's population .
This project has been held 'on hold', for too long , now running in 'silly' unnecessary re-designs of an ultra-expensive elevated road , solving practically nothing (traffic-wise) , but just to divert traffic as far as possible from someone's boundary wall .
Again precious FUNDS will be spent unwisely !
Michael Sciortino
Aug 18th 2012, 13:45
I repeat my comments on this same subject on an article which appeared a few days ago.
Years ago the police had found a solution for rush hour traffic when two lanes were opened in the roundabout for right through traffic between Msida and Swieqi and vice versa. Anyone who wanted to cross oncoming traffic to go to Gzira or Kappara Hill was obliged to keep going and turn round either at the Tunnels junction if coming from Msida or Kappara and going to Gzira and or to the University junction for those coming from Swieqi and Gzira and wishing to go to either Kappara or Swieqi. I don't know why this system was abandoned. My impression is that it worked fine and traffic used to flow smoothly.
I don't see any reason why this system cannot be adopted once again rather than this expensive and environmentally destructive bridge.
Anthony A. Mifsud
Aug 18th 2012, 15:59
In full agreement 100%
Ninu
stephen mifsud
Aug 18th 2012, 13:37
yes its a right for EVERYONE to own a car but if YOU dont have anywhere to drive it is pointless ... MALTA is overpopulated so its own its way to SELF DISTRUCTION in my view stress signs are showing up in many ways such as increased dramatic issues with traffic and beach dwellers and pollution on this island is rampid,the population is strssed the electrical grid is broken down, we Maltese are letting our island be ruined for he sake of €€€€€ what a mistake that was to enter the rat race ... Malta "was" an amazing island now im afraid its become all about money .
C Cassar
Aug 18th 2012, 15:40
No it isn't. If you haven't got a parking space, can't afford to service it to the manufacturers specification at the stated service intervals you should not be allowed to own a car. Nobody has a right to anything in life because that right means living off someone else or causing someone else misery.
stephen mifsud
Aug 18th 2012, 17:03
ok i see so no freedom ,no rights a dictorial state is what you are saying ... now if you said only certain cars on certain days agree with that but what your supporting is not democrasy ... you dont have my vote on that one ...
K. Vella
Aug 18th 2012, 13:14
When there is a will there is a way....
Lets' move on...this junction is in dire need for a revamp and better traffic management.
Michael Borg
Aug 18th 2012, 13:00
N.B. further to my comment below i am paying Nationalist member ( Teserat ) but when wrong decsion is taken i have no problem to criticise !!
Anthony Pace Gouder
Aug 18th 2012, 12:38
It would have been much more informative to see a plan of this proposed development rather than the photo-montage . Apparently this elevated road (short viaduct) will serve simply as a 'fly-over' for the traffic flow between Gzira and Kappara ! This means , and I stand to be corrected , a road rising from the lowest level of Sliema Road in Gzira to a much higher level further up in Kappara , 'somewhere' resulting in a steep ramp .
As I HAD already pointed out, months ago, there is more than sufficient space at the round-about ,where three wide lanes in both direction converge , to have the Regional road itself elevated totally indepengently over Sliema Rd,.in the process even eliminating the steep gradient .
Probably this is just an exercise to put some residents' minds at rest for election time .
Philip Bonello
Aug 18th 2012, 13:15
You couldn't have said it better. It would make sense for vehicles coming from Sliema Road to pass beneath those going through the regional road. But then we were never so logical in Malta.
BTW, similarly (with Europe bearing most of the cost of the ten-T road system) I would have expected a tunnel from Pwales to Ghadira rather than have all vehicle go up Xemxija hill, down to Mistra, up to Selmun and down again to Ghadira. But then, this is rocket science.
Tonio Bone
Aug 18th 2012, 13:20
Anthony I don't you got it right! The viaduct being proposed will leave Mikiel Anton Vassalli Street on almost the same level as when it meets Sliema road in the barren land just after Enemalta's sub-station. I do not believe there is going to be a steep climb!
Most definitely the people in the area were quite compact in their protest and rightfully or wrongfully got it their own way (although we are STILL at proposal stage). I understand their predicament at home having people whizzing by in cars at the same level as their bedroom window and let's face it, when they went to live there no flyovers were envisaged so we cannot go for the old adage 'they could have seen it coming'! Nevertheless nature does not speak for itself and nature will, yet again, bear the brunt of unrestricted development.
As for the point raised before me regarding our island being a concrete jungle....may I add that we are at a point of no return! The island is a continuous construction site and new monstrous apartment blocks continue to mushroom up ungracefully preceded by the ghastly site and inconvenient presence of tower cranes.
Restrictions and impositions continue on the everyday citizen whilst those that have strong lobbies continue do as they please.....all in the sake of generated GDP (officially)!
Anthony Pace Gouder
Aug 18th 2012, 16:12
@ Tonio Bone Definately then , this elevated CONNECTOR is not addressing the BIG REAL FRUSTRATING PROBLEM , that of having an unobstucted, safe, free traffic flow along the Regional Road.
Apparently this project will ONLY relieve the problem on just ONE flow , i.e, that of KAPPARA ORIGINATING south bound traffic , in AVOIDiING the existing Roundabout ! Then, without any doubt the easiest flow was from the Reg.Rd. left -side north-bound carriage way up Sliema Rd. Seems all other traffic , in whatever direction and destination , is destined to endure the everlasting Palmy 'Merry-go-Round' Oasis .
Anthony Pace Gouder
Aug 24th 2012, 11:25
@ Tonio Bone ........................... Seems that my intuition and sense of perspective was Right , as this proposed elevated road ( as I found out yesterday) WILL LINK UP , yet again , ON A PROPOSED NEW ROUNDABOUT that will occupy the last field bordering and just a FEW METERS down in Sliema Road ! This is but a stone's 'throw' away (>>>>>) from the existing Kappara R/A . This complex , costly 'proposal' will serve ' only ' as a connector between Upper Kappara and Gzira .
Criss Camilleri
Aug 18th 2012, 12:12
N I M B Y. As simple as that. But it's like Mr. M. Borg, and Ms. Doreen Attard had stated.
Doreen Attard
Aug 18th 2012, 11:54
@Michael Borg
Not only that, but also one must remember that the general elections are not too far away so the pn has to keep trying to get the disgruntled nationalists back to the fold !!!! How more artificial can this government get ?
D Borg
Aug 18th 2012, 11:50
In a nutshell
the interest of the property owners along regional road, carries more weight (and direct votes) than that of the valley.
with such short-sightedness, who needs a poke in the eye?
Mr Tony Gatt
Aug 18th 2012, 11:42
Soon everyone over 18 will have a car in Malta- it's getting near that now, I imagine. All this on postage-stamp island.
A. Mifsud
Aug 18th 2012, 12:24
it's a right to everyone to own a car Mr. Gatt. Do you own a car yourself? Most probably.
G G Debono
Aug 18th 2012, 13:37
To………A. Mifsud ……Today, 12:24
RE “- - it's a right to everyone to own a car”
Absolutely ! agree
BUT it’s also a DUTY not to use the car excessively.
Am Camilleri
Aug 18th 2012, 14:30
@ At A Mifsud - no . . . . its not. I don't own a car, tho I borrow one occasionally - but if it was my right to own one then of course I would, and so would my 7-yr old son!
Mr R.E. Saliba
Aug 19th 2012, 15:30
@Am Camilleri
Hope you're kidding and did actually understand A Mifsud's comment...
i.e. given that you have all the legal prerequisites, everyone has a right to buy a car.
These include age, license, financial means.
Mark Cassar
Aug 18th 2012, 11:11
I'd like to hear comments from Nature Trust now - to see the other side of the coin. This valley has been undergoing a rehabilitation programme since the late eighties early nineties: for a QUARTER OF A CENTURY.
It's no joke!
And why pick on this junction? What about the Lija roundabout ?- sometimes traffic get stuck both ways Bkara side - up to Vodafone and beyond- Lija side -nearly up to Kinds showroom.
Minister Gatt does need to pass daily from this area during work hours to understand.
And solution is easier - tackle the ugly ex Water services station!!! near the roundabout.
Anthony A. Mifsud
Aug 18th 2012, 12:30
Mak, do you possibly think that dr GATT give a toss on what you think? Or in that case what I think as a resident in the valley?
If it was Valletta that would be an other story.
Ninu
Anthony Pace Gouder
Aug 18th 2012, 14:33
A simple bridge , similar to the steel fly-over BUILT in the eighties over the roundabout at Sta. Venera , under Michael Falzon's Ministry , would suffice! This would also moderate the gradients on Kappara Hill and towards Tal-Qroqq Juncion .
This 'flly-over' would take up only two of the existing SIX LANES that converge, from a reasonably good distance, onto the roundabout .
Not a square centimeter of the Valley need be touched !
The immediate residents will not be bothered either , as the raised road will be just along the distant central part of the highway far and at a moderate height . With what I can fathom , its more likely , that a full view of the VILLA POOLS and gardens is more visible from the high deck of this ' extravagant ' highly expensive (24 Million ?) road on columns (viaduct?)
Basta giet imnaqqsa l-ispiza tal-Budgit ! Din xi Special Purpose Vehicle OHRA ?
The Hon. Miknister should know better WHERE such Viaducts should have been built ........... surely NOT along AND dominating this pleasant vale.
Mark Cassar
Aug 18th 2012, 21:45
Mr Mifsud, frankly if Dr Gatt, (and Dr de Marco, and for that matter Dr Gonzi) do not give a collective toss about what I think about this junction and others stretching the length and breadth of Malta, like at Msida and Hamrun then that proves that they are simply in the business of politics not to give a service to the populace. Now it is up to them.
Michael Borg
Aug 18th 2012, 10:55
mhux hekk minn jaff kiekuil proget kien fis south kienux jaghtu kass tal residenti !!!!! imma hemm il BIG heads uxxx !!!! pari idejn sodi !!!
Joe Vella
Aug 18th 2012, 11:23
Michael, the difference is that these residents, didn't just protest and thump their feet; They actually worked at it and came up with a possible solution.
Michael Borg
Aug 18th 2012, 12:57
@ vella the solution they provided is focused in their interest not the 1000 s of cars each day pass !! @ mscala they dismantled the recyling plant and built a new one they could have moved it somewhere else once they are building a new plant !! but !!!!! no leave at the south !!!!!!!
Saviour Pirotta
Aug 18th 2012, 10:43
The flyover might be the best solution but it still dwarfs the valley and looks awful. To a person who lives abroad and only sees Malta, or pictures of it, once in a while, the amount of building going on is alarming. Soon our little island is going to be just a characterless concrete jungle.
JJ Agius
Aug 18th 2012, 11:11
Dont you think It is allready a concrete Jungle? OK.Perhaps 99%! in most areas except Sliema 150%!!
Forget new Bridges new roads.We should send back Bendy busses to England all cars to Mars & start using Helicopters.
J.J.Agius
ANTHONY PAVIA
Aug 18th 2012, 12:01
Mr Pirotta, many people believe it already is nothing BUT a concrete jungle. No need to get airborne either. All you need do is go up to Tal Virtu', and from up there witness the proportion of buildings to empty land right down to the sea at all four corners.
G G Debono
Aug 18th 2012, 13:29
to jj agius
start using Helicopters. ----
and bicycles ...........
JJ Agius
Aug 18th 2012, 14:49
@GGDebono. According to nostradamus Malta will soon be under water so cannot use bicycles either!! a canoe Yeah!!Portomaso tower will be a lighthouse in the Middle of the Med!
Instead of a concrete Jungle a water paradice!!
J,J.
James Wightman
Aug 18th 2012, 15:21
@ JJ Agius... judging by the membership of the canoe club compared to the general population that's unlikely. Although like a bicycle it would be far more independent.... houseboat might be handy too.
G G Debono
Aug 18th 2012, 16:12
to ............JJ Agius ........................Today, 14:49
erm hope you know how to swim!
Please choose the reason of your report below: