Kappara residents say upgrade plans look like a roller coaster
A group of Kappara residents that is objecting to Transport Malta’s proposed upgrade of the Kappara junction has called the plans – meant to solve the traffic bottleneck – a Disneyland roller coaster.
The residents, mainly from the lower end of Kappara, claimed they had never been consulted on the project: “It is a misconception that the option chosen by TM had the eager approval of the Kappara residents,” they argued at a meeting yesterday.
Following a public consultation meeting on August 10, TM submitted to the planning authority an application for a signalised junction and bridge running through Għollieqa Valley. The bridge would link Triq Mikiel Anton Vassalli to Triq Tas- Sliema on the San Ġwann side. It would also mean that commuters to Gżira would need to drive by the lower end of Kappara.
Addressing the meeting, David Tonna, who owns property in the area, said the other Kappara residents who had actively lobbied for this option, and against a flyover on Regional Road, did not represent all the area residents.
“They were vociferous in their lobbying and good luck to them because their objections are valid, and perhaps we were passive, but now we are here and we will make our voice heard,” Dr Tonna rallied.
He questioned the date chosen for the public consultation which took place during the week of Santa Marija “when everyone is on holiday”.
On being shown a plan of the proposed junction, residents expressed their outrage: “That’s a luna park!” “All we need now is a roller coaster! It’s Disneyland.”
Their main objections to the plans concern the devaluation of their property.
Vince Attard of Nature Trust insisted TM should have called for an environmental impact assessment. “NGOs should have been notified about this – as guardians of the valley we are major stakeholders,” he said.
He argued that the proposed bridge would harm the valley especially during the construction phase. The original option, however, would still have harmed some 12 carob trees and other olive trees.
Only last week, the Kappara residents who favoured TM’s decision told The Times that the damage to the valley would be minimal. “That is a myth,” said Astrid Vella for Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar, saying that FAA was there to represent the public interest.
At one point the meeting became highly animated with residents and local council and committee members from the nearby towns pointing fingers at each other for the lack of consultation process.
A brief attempt at discussing a possible option – an option C – led to general disagreement, which promoted Dr Tonna to say: “At the end of the day we do not have to submit a suggestion, we are not experts.”
The solution to the Kappara junction bottleneck has been in discussion for 17 years.
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LAWRENCE SCERRI
Aug 31st 2012, 11:06
There is no doubt that something needs to be done to facilitate flow through this major junction.
I do not understand why we have to complicate matters so much in Malta when there are less complicated, more ecologically/environmentally friendly, and possibly cheaper options, such as doing away with roundabout and creating an intersection with traffic lights just like the one in Marsa opposite Addolorata cemetery, which in my opinion is even busier than Kappara. This arrangement seems to work reasonably well !!! A more expensive option that will also cause least hinderance to residents would be an underpass, but of course subject to technical expert's approval.
Susan Cassar
Aug 30th 2012, 22:50
Its about time this junction is solved after all it is a main clogged artery and i believe this is the only way to solve it...think of all the time you spend waiting to go round that round about everyday going and comming to work over a year..if only you can get paid for that...
jay bee
Aug 30th 2012, 22:02
if its not a olive tree its a carrob tree or a fungus that grows there come on and let them do there job after all its you whom complain about the traffic thats being created they are going to plant multiple trees instead of the others so what is the fuss its this or you get your bike and peddle the fat from your behind and actually do something instead of critisize what you DO NOT understand
Astrid Vella
Aug 31st 2012, 09:25
Dear Jay Bee, thank you for your erudite comment. You obviously have a full and in-depth grasp of the situation. No one is saying the project should take place, but it should be done in a more intelligent manner which solves the problem while saving most of the protected valley and saving taxpayer's money. Surely even you, with your limited knowledge, can appreciate the sense in that? Incidentally, it can take new trees up to 50 years to produce the same benefits of purifying the air by absorbing C02 as mature trees do.
Steve Zammit
Aug 30th 2012, 19:38
we destroyed this country to get from A to B by car :(
C Borg
Aug 30th 2012, 18:52
Suggestion: since the Kappara residents do not see the usefulness of this project and see as far as their nose, my I humbly suggest that the funds and idea to built this bridge are shifted elsewhere?
One glaring need for such a suspended bridge is between the St Pauls Bypass and the Mellieha Bypass touching land slightly on the Mistra ridge.
Am sure that everyone who uses the north and those on their way to Gozo would be most grateful for such a project which would cut down considerably on travelling time and through dangerous spots such as Xemxija hill.
Joseph Goerge Borg
Aug 30th 2012, 18:44
I am sure and through past designs the result is going to be that of shifting the traffic jam. eneMalta is excavating quite a few tunnels i am sure that a little bit of planning these could be used, at least one way, for light traffic.
paul camilleri
Aug 30th 2012, 17:47
it is time that TM hires capable people to redesign this monstrosity of a bridge and other roads into a more envoirmental and user friendly roads and not some project one expects from a 6 year old kid would do when laying out some scaletrix set.
Christo Starostin
Aug 30th 2012, 17:45
Has anyone done a study of the effect on the upstream/downstream traffic this project will effect?
What is the point of saving 2 minutes at Kappara if you only wait an extra 3 minutes at Gzira?
G Vella
Aug 30th 2012, 17:03
I cannot understand how anybody can conceivably consider Option B of a U shaped bridge through the valley with its attendant new roundabout and set of traffic lights as better than Option A with a simple flyover over the present roundabout. This flyover option is less costly, has a much lower environmental impact and does not involve such stupidities as driving into lower Kappara in order to proceed towards St Julians. It will clearly be of benefit for the simply reason that there will be less traffic crossing paths. I think this should be amply demonstrated by the fact that there is a well-functioning similar even if not identical setup close by at the University roundabout with an underpass instead of a flyover and an even more similar system a bit further down near St Philips Hospital just before the St Venera Tunnels. Regarding the residents of the three or so villas who appear to be finding cause to complain, it would appear that their houses will at worst be in the same situation as the ones further up the road – i.e at street level, a fate they will share with many thousands of houseowners.
A short report is available at http://www.mepa.org.mt/EIACMS/documents/PA0491709/B3_KapparaEPS_App3%20NTSs_Duplex%20A4.pdf
Mr T Eng
Aug 30th 2012, 15:12
The worst part of all this is that TM and MEPA were led to believe that all the Kappara residents are in favour of option B.
This was a cunning trick executed by the Kumitat Amministrativ Kappara.
If they really represented all the Kappara residents they would have posted a letter explaining the situation.
william cauchi
Aug 30th 2012, 15:00
@Silvano Vassallo.
''I found a way through Gzira and bypassed that junction all together''
Supposed everybody stuck in traffic looks for similar solutions. Result complete gridlock also in Gzira.
More ideas '' Travel in a lighter car'' What, cut a piece off what i have, or are you going to buy me a new one.
''Going home at 3pm''. Try going through at 8.00am or 5.00pm. It's a very different situation. Much different. As if most have a choice.
Some were also saying, nobody gives way to traffic on the roundabout. If you had to give way to traffic on the roundabout better forget about it because traffic on the roundabout is continuous between 7.00am and 7.00pm and better get a picnic basket with you with lots of drinks because it's going to be a looooooooooooong day.
Please, please, please, TM, we have been waiting 17 years for a something to be done. Can we get a move on, whatever the solution. The biggest problem in Malta is spaaaaace. If you move your foot 10 cm either way, you are 100% sure to step on somebody toes. Ouch!! So what is the choice? Stand still forever? Move it TM.
Edward Zammit
Aug 30th 2012, 14:52
It is fact that a solution has to be found for traffic in this area. The proposed bridge appears to be the least damaging sollution to the area. The objection that dust will ruin the habitat has to tke second place to the needs of the country. You cannot build anything without creating dust. After all, earlier in this blog, someone mentioned that the residents should have known about future deveopment and road improvements in this area
A solution to some of the residents objections on invading their privacy etc,, I would suggest that wind/noise barriers are put up on the bridge in the areas where residents may be effected and this will completly shied the them from noise, vision, and even pollution.
Astrid Vella
Aug 30th 2012, 15:34
Edward, a solution is being found, in fact there is more than one possible option, and neither of them cause the upheaval that the chosen project does, nor are they as disproportionate, damaging and polluting. These new options that merit serious study help reduce the traffic jams and pollution without destroying too much of the protected valley nor intruding on the residents - a win-win solution all round.
If it took our consultant just 15 minutes to start coming up with possible alternatives, how come Transport Malta have been working on it for all these years and could only produce this monstrosity? Could it be that bombastic great expensive projects are favoured over practical, simple solutions as the latter don't employ so many and leave enough commissions behind?
E. Azzopardi
Aug 30th 2012, 14:25
Whatever any body says, this upgrade is a must. These same residents are inhaling all that carbon monoxide, 24/7, with all those stationary vehicles. They should be the first to support this project, so that there will be a good traffic flow, with much much less pollution. Another reason for the project, which will be a great benefit to the environment.
And let us not start by saying that there is some fungus which is not found anywhere else. If it is not fungus then it is a lizard or whatever. When is this blessed country going to start getting its priorities right, as up till now I haven't seen it.
Astrid Vella
Aug 30th 2012, 15:39
E. Azzopardi, I don't believe a single person has said that this junction does not require an upgrade. All that is being said is that there area ways and ways of going about it, and in choosing the most damaging and impractical project, Transport Malta did not even justify its decision which contradicted the advice given by some of the consultants in the Transport Malta report!
Anthony Pace Gouder
Aug 30th 2012, 13:55
From the first ever 70s' Town Planning Sheets ,of which I have copies , Villa plots bordering this roundabout were nonexistent and only a narrow (minimum 8m wide) strip of possible GREEN between Triq l-Alwett and a service road running parallel, all the way up alongside the Regional Road, to the immediate R/A uphill shows .
Somehow these were eliminaed and replaced by the existing Villa or Semi-detached PLOTS .
julian caruana
Aug 30th 2012, 13:54
NIMBY FEVER.
NOT IN MY BACK YARD.
Mr John Borg
Aug 30th 2012, 16:15
Unfortunately they are right not to want in in their back yard, because the original plan for a flyover had been known for years and hence reduced the property prices of those directly on the main road. Unfortunately this new plan of now passing a roller coaster through the valley is affecting people who paid premium prices for their property because they knew no flyovers were planned through the valley.
So yes, they are right to complain. Instead of the people who bought their property on the main road suffering what they always knew was going to happen (and factored into the price), they are now passing this onto other people
Mr Victor Borg
Aug 30th 2012, 12:06
Transport Malta is a laughable and bloated government department, and they come up with so-called solutions that are convoluted and unworkable.
silvano vassallo
Aug 30th 2012, 11:59
silvano.
Well go ahead and destroy what little is left of once a beautiful island. The biggest problem I see which most of all problems stems out is over population. Malta is one of the smalest places on earth and yet it is one of the most heavily populated. A place like Malta can only handel 150,000 not 500,000. If we press on soon we will overwhelm the land we live in and everything will collapse. Living in Malta is depressing and stressful. In 50 years we have rendered Malta into a stagnate place were energy cant flow freely. Becuase we ignore we are ignorant, we live on a small land but live in the biggest houses in the world. We have small distances to travel and drive the biggest cars . We live in a sub tropical latitude and consume huge ammounts of food resulting into an obese slow to react easy to control population. If the maltese had a desert most of us will choose a horse over a camel because it looks nicer . There is one problem in Malta
Ignorance. We need a good leader which tackels the problems from the roots not wasting time trying to figure out how to go between unmarried couples.
For those of you getting caught into the traffic I have some tips that I use myself with great succsess, and mind you I live in deep south and rarely get caught in traffic.
Travel in a lighter car.
get to know all the roads in your area and use all possible alternative ways and note at which time these roads are most used.
Last year I had some work at that area and I use to go back home around 3pm. I found a way through gzira and bypassed that junction all together.
Avoid peak times, its better to arrive at your destination 30 min early than spending that time breathing exhaust and wasting fuel.
the longest way is the shortest way and it saves fuel. 5 minutes idling is worth 10 kilometers on top gear at full speed.
Good luck and do not ignore.
silvano vassallo
Aug 30th 2012, 11:58
silvano.
Well go ahead and destroy what little is left of once a beautiful island. The biggest problem I see which most of all problems stems out is over population. Malta is one of the smalest places on earth and yet it is one of the most heavily populated. A place like Malta can only handel 150,000 not 500,000. If we press on soon we will overwhelm the land we live in and everything will collapse. Living in Malta is depressing and stressful. In 50 years we have rendered Malta into a stagnate place were energy cant flow freely. Becuase we ignore we are ignorant, we live on a small land but live in the biggest houses in the world. We have small distances to travel and drive the biggest cars . We live in a sub tropical latitude and consume huge ammounts of food resulting into an obese slow to react easy to control population. If the maltese had a desert most of us will choose a horse over a camel because it looks nicer . There is one problem in Malta
Ignorance. We need a good leader which tackels the problems from the roots not wasting time trying to figure out how to go between unmarried couples.
For those of you getting caught into the traffic I have some tips that I use myself with great succsess, and mind you I live in deep south and rarely get caught in traffic.
Travel in a lighter car.
get to know all the roads in your area and use all possible alternative ways and note at which time these roads are most used.
Last year I had some work at that area and I use to go back home around 3pm. I found a way through gzira and bypassed that junction all together.
Avoid peak times, its better to arrive at your destination 30 min early than spending that time breathing exhaust and wasting fuel.
the longest way is the shortest way and it saves fuel. 5 minutes idling is worth 10 kilometers on top gear at full speed.
Good luck and do not ignore.
godwin difesa
Aug 30th 2012, 11:11
I cannot believe that in 2012 in our modern country just to do a very simple flyover same like there is in Qormi why all this fuss.These fly overs if you go in Asia they assemble them in few days believe me as they do them precast.Why we have to spend almost 30 minutes just from out side the tunnels in St Julianas to Imsida every morning .I can under stand there are some 3 or 4 houses near the round a bout that will have to be moved as they will loose privacy but the state can buy these house from the owners but not only the market price he need to compensate the owners well for make them move so they can upgrade there new house.Why spend all that money on a bridge plus it takes ages to finish and maintenance..Please try to find common seance so the people will not loose any more time in traffic .
Anthony Pace Gouder
Aug 30th 2012, 15:37
TM know that a simple fly-over at the R/A, and many have as myself pressed for this solution, BUT there are European Union Funds running into MILLIONS that have to be spent or otherwise LOST !
TM seem to be considering this DON QUITXOTIC PROJECTwhich certainly does NOT deserve this spending as there are surely more practical sensible , cheaper and rational solutions to this congested roundabout. .
M camilleri
Aug 30th 2012, 11:05
less traffic = less pollution .If this road will improve traffic so residents must agree
John J Borg
Aug 30th 2012, 10:55
...IF ONLY ARRIVA HAD WORKED FINE......................................maybe it could have relieved the problem slightly.....but definitely the situation worsened........and no one seems to be responsible!!
Amante Reale
Aug 30th 2012, 11:20
lol what does Arriva have to do with anything?
J. De Bono
Aug 30th 2012, 11:53
Mr Reale to some extent Arriva does effect congested areas, not only are Arriva's oversized buses greatly contributing to these congestion zones, however the fact the company has proven itself so unreliable vehicle owners wouldn’t dream of relying on their service to get to work, I for one fall into this category as I commute daily through Gzira/Sliema and have done so for the past 5 years and have never actually stepped on an Arriva bus and do not intend to, not only do I believe the bus fares are unjustified in comparison to the old system but nothing has actually changed, apart from having AC on a number of the buses the routes times aren’t kept and there are more Bus related incidents than ever before, obviously this isn’t only Arriva’s fault, TM is ultimately responsible for this problem and along with a certain person who so many of the public has repeatedly ask to resign. Only in Malta!
paul camilleri
Aug 30th 2012, 12:26
apparently according to Mr J.J. Borg Arriva is the root to all problems in light of this maybe Arriva sould be sent packing and lets see what differance other bs services have to offer??? maybe Mr JJ Borg would like to own his own bus service and then see how things would run smoothly!!!!!
Mr John Borg
Aug 30th 2012, 10:37
As I said below:
As a solution, might I propose that instead of going above current street level, that they go below ground and create an underpass rather than a flyover? So regional road dips under the current round about and the current round about will serve to permit Gzira and San Gwann residents to cross.
Am Camilleri
Aug 30th 2012, 11:21
Unfortunately the roundabout is already at the lowest point in relation to regional road. If you make it go down further without extensive works to level off the approaches you really would have a big dipper!
Joseph P. Borg
Aug 30th 2012, 12:24
Mr John Borg,
Your proposal is not technically acceptable as the gradient of the road would exceed the limit applicable for highways.
The shifting of the existing roundabout towards Msida by some 40 metres with an overpass, similar to the original proposed junction would receive the approval of the great majority of the residents in the area. Residents should give more weight to air pollution rather than the loss of a view and a depreciation of the value of their property as was the reason why the original layout was opposed by money mongers.
Adrian Galea
Aug 30th 2012, 13:51
This would be the best option for the environment and could even reduce road noise for the residents.
Pierre Mangion
Aug 30th 2012, 10:36
the easiest solution and the cheapest would be to remove the roundabout and have a junction with appropriate traffic lights as there is in Marsa. the lights addressing the traffic on the regional road (triq mikiel anton vassalli) would have priority on the traffic coming from the lateral (Triq Sliema). this isnt rocket science BUT a change mentality. this system would be similar to the traffic lights system on the Tal-barrani road and the Paceville junction.
that way the only destruction would be that of the roundabout - the palm trees can be planted elsewhere and the turf transferred to some other public space.
Ludgardo Zammit
Aug 30th 2012, 11:14
I think this makes sense.
Robert Cassar
Aug 30th 2012, 15:39
Proset Pierre...this is one of the only sensible posts here and a possibly feasible idea!
Luke Bonnici
Aug 30th 2012, 10:11
Dr Tonna represents all that is wrong with the planning system in Malta ... why say that you do not have to submit a suggestion because you're not an expert? Although you're trying to be sarcastic you're not doing yourself any favours ... being passive doesn't help either! I feel that in Malta there's a BANANA culture (build absolutely nothing anywhere near anyone)!
Joseph P. Borg
Aug 30th 2012, 12:34
Dr Tonna may not be an expert on road engineering, but like any sensible person he can easily judge that the second Kappara Junction proposal presented by Malta Transport will cause considerably more air polution than the original.
Shifting a problem from one position to another and causing more harm than the original is not a proper solution
Mr Peter Korsten
Aug 30th 2012, 09:59
The problem is having residences right next to a major thoroughfare. Get rid of those and compensate the residents ADEQUATELY. Because that's mostly the problem in Malta: you get only a fraction lofty what your property is worth. But having houses so close to a major road is untenable. There are such things as emission and noise limits.
C Cassar
Aug 30th 2012, 10:47
Surely these properties are worthless anyway? No one would buy them in this location, so why compensate since they're worthless? If they were put up for sale they would never sell.
Lawrence Fenech
Aug 30th 2012, 11:18
@cASSAR.
Home sweet home?
Joseph P. Borg
Aug 30th 2012, 12:47
Mr Korster,
Your comment is most logical and justifiable , especially in the present circumstances. The owners of the villas whose backyards overlook Triq Mikiel Anton Vassalli had obtained building permits on the land that was earmarked as a buffer zone with the highway. Now they have the cheek to protest against the original Kappara Junction proposal after they had themselves to blame for the inconvenience they should have overseen. They should realise that they "cannot have the cake and eat it"
B. Storace
Aug 30th 2012, 09:42
The major problem and the cause for the traffic slowing down and bottlenecks is simple. The average Maltese driver does not know his/her highway code. There are written rules on how to approach and exit a roundabout but very, very few heed them. This results in the chaos we are accustomed to. Our intrepid traffic cops watch the mayhem and do nothing about it and so life goes on. Once the drivers realise that going round a roundabout is not a selfish, "I'll criss-cross lanes to get there first......I'm in the wrong lane and might impede the traffic flow....... I'll carry on regardless and won't give way" attitude then we might not need the proposed destruction to the valley below,and residents might still enjoy the view.
Chris Ellul
Aug 30th 2012, 10:10
100% Agreed!! This is the major problem on ALL our roads, not just this one.... We should fix the user first, rather than upgrade the hardware, because if you upgrade the hardware, but user is still dumb and selfish, then it's a pretty wasted investment!
John iNGUANEZ
Aug 30th 2012, 09:35
It seems nothing pleases everybody. First we had the opposition to the junction over the roundabout, because it was right on the doorstep (don't forget that in Marsascala building are four floors on the seafront!) and then this. I would like to make a suggestion to these residents: Can we change your residence and try and live in my maisonette in the middle of Zabbar Road Fgura. Any inquiries are welcomed!!!!!!!
Paul Caruana
Aug 30th 2012, 09:34
This EU funded project risks turning into a Maltese 'farsa'! There is little doubt in my mind that of the two options that Transport Malta and MEPA considered for this vital road intersection, the wrong one was chosen which will, in practice, only shift the current traffic jam from around the roundabout to the traffic going up and down sliema road at the proposed new junction.
And all this because of a handful of people, who evidently have far too much influence within the current administration. Because of this, we are going to construct a suboptimal project, which apart from creating a serious traffic logjam as described above will also ruin a whole valley!
Chris Ciantar
Aug 30th 2012, 09:34
Ux Roller Coaster !!! Go ahead....xbajt fit traffic kull fil ghodu !!
Mr John Borg
Aug 30th 2012, 09:24
Kappara residents who purchased their property right on Regional Road always knew that this fly-over was going to be done. The price probably even reflected this fact when they initially purchased the property.
With this current plan, the residents who paid a premium to have their properties off the main road and overlooking the valley are now the ones who are going to suffer with this monster roller coaster being built right on their door steps.
I believe this is totally unfair.
As a solution, might I propose that instead of going above current street level, that they go below ground and create an underpass rather than a flyover? So regional road dips under the current round about and the current round about will serve to permit Gzira and San Gwann residents to cross.
Lawrence Fenech
Aug 30th 2012, 11:21
John.
This was always wishful thinking since Zammit Dimech and it comes up every election eve.
No mention of the cost has as far come forward in this year of recession and 6 billion debt.
Julian Borg
Aug 30th 2012, 09:14
Can someone explain why they don't simply remove the roundabout and allow traffic to flow through the intersection between St Julians and Msida. They had given this a try some years ago and it had solved most of the problems at virtually no cost. True those on Kappara Hill and Sliema Road were not accommodated but the traffic flowed much more effectively. An alternative that will cost very little is to install traffic lights on an open intersection - just like Marsa.
Why on earth do we have to put in the most horrific and expensive solutions?
Ludgardo Zammit
Aug 30th 2012, 09:59
I agree. Bigger junctions in other countries, with much more traffic, cope with traffic lights with no problems. Why not here too?
The Marsa junction near the cemetery copes well with traffic lights, and the traffic is comparable if not more than the Kappara one.
Astrid Vella
Aug 30th 2012, 10:08
Julian, could it have something to do with creating jobs for the boys? This totally disproportionate project will pay a few chosen contractors very well, and consume huge amounts of concrete imported by a very powerful developer.
Julian Borg
Aug 30th 2012, 10:34
Astrid Vella I think your lobby grip should demand the publication of studies that show that a flyover is the only viable option. It is such a waste of money and will be such an eyesore it smacks of left hand not really knowing what the right hand is doing and someone hook winking someone else.
I. Fenech
Aug 30th 2012, 10:35
" The Marsa junction near the cemetery copes well with traffic lights, and the traffic is comparable if not more than the Kappara one."
Are you awake or still asleep?
Do you know that the traffic starts at the beginning of Tal Barrani in Zejtun (near ROC A GO) & at Ghajn Dwieli in Cospicua. Garibali road in Marsa/Luqa will be full with traffic up to the roundabout.
Please wait for October and see the above LIVE.
Ludgardo Zammit
Aug 30th 2012, 11:48
@ Mr. I. Fenech
Whatever is done, there will always be traffic at peak hours. That is a fact of life. Hotspots will always come out. If you solve one place, the problem will move either downstream or even upstream.
Waiting a bit in traffic, sometimes more than a bit, is inevitable. This is the price we have to pay for progress and for each of us to have a car (rightly so).
Abroad, people take sometimes 2 hours to cover 20 kms to go to work by car. Some, if they can, change their routines to go in earlier or later. Most cannot do this, and day after day they have to spend hours in the car. However, they are patient. Maybe we can learn a bit from them.
Mark Mangion
Aug 30th 2012, 09:12
I would seriously love to know when this project is going to be started ..... and finished. The Kappara roundabout saga has been going on for decades to the detriment of all concerned who have to pass through this area on a daily basis. If I am not mistaken the flyover was part of the original plans in the construction of the Regional road way back in the late 60's but were shelved due to lack of funds for a later date. Due to other priorities this project has always remained such but now after 40 years it is high time that this traffic nightmare of a junction is upgraded to enable a smoother traffic flow. Doesn't anyone in power realize that the daily delays in this part of our main artery marked as Road 1 costs the nation money not calculating the frustration and aggravation this causes? My only fear is that I wont be around to see its completion judging by its history so far.
Victor Calleja
Aug 30th 2012, 09:09
Transport Malta should seek the interest of us drivers first and not the interest of a few residents which with this project the value of their property is going to decrease.
Many other residents in different places of Malta had the value of their property decreased by such projects. So these residents are no exception.
Passing through that area during rush hours is like driving through hell.
Adrian Camilleri
Aug 30th 2012, 09:36
I beg to disagree. I drive daily through that roundabout -- down Kappara Hill (Triq Tas-Sliema) towards Valletta and back -- at rush hour and, granted, it is not an empty road, but calling it "hell" is way too exaggerated.
It takes me less than 5 minutes to clear it.
Secondly, yes, drivers' interests should be addressed, but so should those of the residents, who make and build a neighbourhood, giving it its characteristics.
paul camilleri
Aug 30th 2012, 09:37
yes i agree with Mr Victor Calleja what is the interest of us drivers??? maybe crashing into a pole of simply flying off the road into the valley below?
it is time that TM hires capable people to redesign this monstrosity and other roads into a more envoirmental and user friendly roads and not some project one expects from a 6 year old kid would do when laying out some scaletrix set.
Mr ALBERT LEONE GANADO
Aug 30th 2012, 09:01
The residents affected should be offered proper soundproofing and screening of their properties. Many built their houses in an area well after the bypass was planned decades ago and eventually built. it is all a question of balance . The current damage being caused to the Wied Ghollieqa valley and to the heath of residents and car drivers because of car pollution is an order of magnitude higher than the environmental damage which will be caused by a multi-level bypass. We always seem to work ourselves into a corner so that nothing is eventually done. Let all those who want to be positive propose a better solution (it should have been done before) provided it is not just a NIMBY type of objection.
Jowey Brownie
Aug 30th 2012, 09:28
Car pollution is a widespread in Malta and not limited to Kappara residents only Mr Leone Ganado. What is needed is a serious national strategy to curb the endemic problem once and for all, starting by zeroing on all commercial vehicles
A Padovani
Aug 30th 2012, 08:54
The aim of such a project is to have free flowing traffic along the Regional Road, and equally, along the San Gwann-Gzira axis. Also required are free flowing traffic lanes for traffic flowing in perpendicular directions, e.g. San Gwann to Msida or Gzira to Swieqi. An example which has proved to be successful is the Mriehel Bypass Flyover over Mill Street, Qormi.
The option B project as proposed fails to achieve these aims as it proposes a traffic light junction at the lower end of Sliema Road, Kappara since traffic has to cross oncoming traffic lanes in order to reach the proposed flyover over Wied Ghollieq, This is likely to cause tailbacks up to San Gwann during peak hours, as happens today. Therefore, no problem solved there!
Similarly, the proposed roundabout at the upper end of Sliema Road, Gzira is likely to cause tailbacks up to Rue D'Argens with ensuing chaos there. Again, no problem solved there either.
The proposed Option B, therefore fails to achieve the objectives of such a project, and would only be taxpayers' money down the drain.
James Mifsud
Aug 30th 2012, 15:17
Thank you Mr /Ms Padovani, you've hit the nail on the head there - the proposed road is just there to pay lip service to the problem without solving it whilst creating discomfort to others (i'm not referring to those with villas etc). I can't help feel that there's some contractor waiting rubbing his hands in glee at the prospect of winning another contract.
Would a road passing from sliema road kappara, under regional road (near the enemalta station) and coming out in the gzira part where an existing useless and derelict farm can be expropriated without unsettling too many people or green land...?
Paul Azzopardi
Aug 30th 2012, 08:50
It is simply common sense to see and accept the fact that Regional road needs an introduction of a new vein from where the over load of traffic needs to be bleed. Anyone in their right senses can see that, you only have to create a memory of school time traffic at 8/9am every morning going through Regional road or simply a an accident or environmental maintenance and it will knock in a collection of congestion and road rage.
Secondly this hopefully will not be the only ''Spaghetti Road'' or Roller coaster if you'd like to call it so. Cause whether we like it or not since we are so happy with increasing the number of cars per family, number of cars in Malta has risen to +300,000, we have to be also accepting to these alterations in our road systems. Like it or not the residents of Kappara are part of that problem like we all are.
IF you want to solve it ...Get on your Bike!! But no, similar to our waste problem and our environmental problem and our national standing on ISLAND PRIDE....we don't really care because its not MY problem as the daft maltese saying goes '' Anything outside my door has nothing to do with me''.
Well we are learning ultimately that isn't true because we are embarrassing ourselves in front of other nations with our egoistic attitude and our children will suffer our laziness.
Franco Attard Trevisan
Aug 30th 2012, 08:48
"The solution to the Kappara junction bottleneck has been in discussion for 17 years."
.... and from the look of it, things will remain the same for a further 17 years!!
N Azzopardi
Aug 30th 2012, 08:46
The usual story. As soon as a project is mentioned, we have a lot of experts and comments coming from all over the place. Everybody knows that this stretch of road, is jam packed with traffic almost all time of day and everyday. The people living in the area surely inhails large doses of exhaust. Now that this project benefits all except a few, they are saying that its like a roller coaster. Come on and get this bnridge done as soon as possible. If one adds up the yearly total of all the fuel consumption wasted in the traffic jams, I think it will add up much more then the cost of the project.
Charles Micallef
Aug 30th 2012, 08:45
A flyover to move a traffic Jam a few hundred metres ahead...is it worth it?
Lawrence Fenech
Aug 30th 2012, 09:05
Charles.
Agree, this government has always been short sighted.
Carmel Borg
Aug 30th 2012, 09:33
In heavy traffic, its' not the metres that count. but the time!
Charles Micallef
Aug 30th 2012, 12:40
Carmel Borg
do you really believe that this will make any difference to the time, go wherever you want to in Malta and drive at anyspeed you wish, and your time of arrival will not vary more than 5 minutes, and if there is a traffic jam you just have to wait for the cars in front to move, so time does not come into it!!!!
Geoffrey Farrugia
Aug 30th 2012, 08:32
Malta welcomes the 21st Century..about time too! Obviosuly this plan will be just remain on the drawing boards.
Bruno Zahra
Aug 30th 2012, 08:31
Why didn`t Dr Tonna voice up his concerns before? Why didn`t he make his voice heard at consultation phase rather than sleep over his thoughts and finally one day waking up to realise this? I`m pretty sure he must have heard of this through media. But well this should not be a personal attack but such discussion infuriates people - society - who commute through these artery roads daily and know that there must be a solution to the never ending traffic on weekdays and ALSO weekends. Let us grow up and not make excuses because of environment concerns...though I am all in favour for environment protection.
Robert Cassar
Aug 30th 2012, 08:56
How can anyone take a comment like yours seriously when your last sentence is, in itself, 100% contradictory! you actually have no environmental concerns if you are all for this Option B.
You are the one who needs to grow up and face the facts - It is the Governments duty to listen and act on the concerns of everyone and not just those who were against Option A . Option C, whatever it may be, must be put forward if need be.
We complain, that's true, about many stupid things in his country, but there is no way in hell that this is one of them!
Robert Mifsud
Aug 30th 2012, 08:24
If they don't agree they should come up with an alternative else the government can give them free tickets to ride the roller coaster whilst Malta benefits.
Joe Grech
Sep 1st 2012, 11:49
In fact alternative plans are being prepared by the NGOs and the residents. Didn't you read it above?
Ludgardo Zammit
Aug 30th 2012, 08:23
Everybody has the right and duty to protect his/her property and investment. Just for one minute think what anybody would say and do if a similar major project with the same consequences would be done close to his/her property.
Users of the mentioned arterial junction also think of their own interests.
So let TM have all this in mind when deciding which option to take. It should, in any case, be the least harmful to everybody, particularly the residents, as is the practice also in other countries who actually have a bigger say.
R ferriggi
Aug 30th 2012, 08:23
WE KNOW THE STORY NOW.
1. THE DECISION WILL BE POSTPONED TO AFTER THE EELCTION.
2. THE DECISION WILL DEPEND ON THE STRONGEST ;) LOBBY.
3. THE DECISION WILL DEPEND ON WHETHER THERE IS SOME HIGH-RANKING TM OR MEPA OFFICIAL LIVING IN THE AREA.
4. FINALLY ; THE ROAD WILL REMAIN AS IT IS NOW................ GUARANTEED : )))))
Jesmond Chetcuti
Aug 30th 2012, 08:23
Why this resident association don't employ some other consultants and propose their alternative? No matter what you do in that area ,is going to harm someone, as they say Not in my Back Garden...but still they moan if they are stuck in traffic somewhere else ...get a grip and get it done , this project and the one in Marsa (near the cemetery )has been long over due and with every year that goes the cost of the project goes up....
Jason Zammit
Aug 30th 2012, 08:21
Ara veru ahna poplu tal qerida.....il hin Kollu neqirdu fuq kollox , daqt nibdew neqirdu ghax titla ix xemx filodu ....
Hugh Morris
Aug 30th 2012, 08:20
I actually think it looks really good. Finally we will be getting roads like the ones you find abroad, not narrow, twisty, and with varying width along the way so as not to touch some someone's field!
Kappara residents should be glad that such professional plans are being proposed. I personally got fed up of the jiggly, potholey road there is right now passing through kappara, which also causes untold damages to cars! FAA should also come up with some constructive comments instead of No No No!
James Portelli
Aug 30th 2012, 08:15
OK ... let's weight the2 options here:
1. An insignificant minority of the population will suffer potential property devaluation
versus
2. Solving a 17-year problem for all commuters using what is arguably is one of Malta's busiest thorough-fares.
A no brainer really in terms of common good.
Regarding pollution, have the NGOs calculated the saving in pollution of a km-long bottle-necks or snail movement along two (not one) sides of the valley compared to constantly moving traffic on the proposed flyovers?
Get a grip and get on with it.
Sean Swain
Aug 30th 2012, 10:53
You may, just may, sing a different tune if TM decided to build a flyover directly over your property, reducing its value by some ridiculous percentage.
Even small minorities have rights which need to be respected, you cannot simply crush the minorities. The means will never justify the end.
A well organised discussion needs to be held, and an arrangement needs to be made to make as many people as possible (including commuters) happy.
Try and imagine if it was your property to get its value slashed...
Matthew Grima
Aug 31st 2012, 01:05
May I build a road through your living room so the majority can enjoy a bit of tv on their way to work?
James Mifsud
Aug 30th 2012, 08:13
This project has haunted me for most of my life when plans once included placing a road right through my house in gzira... And now that I'm renting in kappara they want to build it on my doorstep. Now the project has changed several times in recent years. From what I understand the project is being given the green light now because they've diverted funds from another project so that they don't lose eu funding. So all these proposals smack of partial solutions to a problem and have now been rushed.
That image is not clear of what's going on, and i can't seem to find the plans online. The real bottleneck for traffic is the one lane in and out of gzira and then the traffic lights going into rue d'argens. This seems like a poor attempt at spending money to make sure that money is being spent on something just for the sake of it especially when one considers the environmental impact on one of the only green areas for miles.
Joseph P. Borg
Aug 30th 2012, 13:18
James,
I totally agree with the contents of your second paragraph. A smoother taffic flow at the Kappara Junction towards Gzira will have adverse effect on the Rue D'Argens junction and traffic around the proposed new roundabout in Triq tas- Sliema will com to a halt. Similarly an additional amount of traffic towards Msida,could cause a tailback as far as the university roundabout causing traffic to come to a halt at his jun ction,
F. Pisani
Aug 30th 2012, 08:07
Always someone complainig, even if these plans look great!
Joseph P. Borg
Aug 30th 2012, 12:57
Where is the greatness you do notice in these plans.? People who cannot make comparisons between alternatives tend to accept both without being able to state which is the better one.
Victor Rodenas
Aug 30th 2012, 08:06
Do not worry,...since the elections are on the doorstep........nothing will be done for sure.
Alfred Agius
Aug 30th 2012, 07:57
One cannot have a cake & eat it.
The road is accessed by thousands of nervous drivers daily, while a much smaller amount of residents object to the erecting some sort of relief valve to ease the daily traffic bottleneck = a bridge or tunnel is the only solution. hopefully a win win situation may be reached.
Anthony A. Mifsud
Aug 30th 2012, 08:54
Sur Agius, you happened to live up the road, if you have to live down the valley like we do, than talk about the cake, I don't want to have cakes falling on my roof as they will be polluted with b2 lead poison from all that toxins
Ninu
C Cassar
Aug 30th 2012, 07:57
"Their main objections to the plans concern the devaluation of their property." Come on, the properties anywhere near the existing road are pretty worthless anyway. If anything, values will go up because with the implementation of sound absorbing barriers, the noise from traffic will be reduced. Therefore maybe r Tonna should contribute something to the construction costs if the value of his property increases?
Charles Bayliss
Aug 30th 2012, 07:51
It seems that the Kappara residents are never satisfied. I lived in San Gwann for 23 years and have never known them to change their attitudes. All they are interested in are themselves and their properties, no matter what else. Why is this? Because they live in a poshy area? The consideration of the miserable state of the road and the problems it brings to the drivers is the priority here.
Edgar Gatt
Aug 30th 2012, 07:49
Quoting Mr. Tonna. Perhaps we were passive during the consultation period. Also he added that they are not experts and still they want to have their say. This road is long overdue and let's get on with it.
Victor Pulis
Aug 30th 2012, 07:48
What did one expect from TM?! Whatever they touch turns into a comic tragedy.
Hugh Morris
Aug 30th 2012, 08:25
You sound like a proper expert Victor - It's easy to pass comments on someone else's work. Not quite as easy as doing it yourself. How would YOU solve this issue instead of just passing stupid comments which have no value whatsoever?
Please choose the reason of your report below: