Gżira will be turned from “a village into a passage” if the planned Kappara junction gets the go-ahead, according to the local council.

“Traffic should not be diverted here – the project plans should be extended to include Sliema Road up to the corner with Rue D’Ar­gens to prevent traffic congestion in this direction,” Gżira mayor Roberto Cristiano said.

The council is not objecting to a solution to the Regional Road traffic but says the proposed junction will just be creating a problem elsewhere.

Mr Cristiano explained that, the way things stood, drivers were already passing through Gżira side streets to avoid the traffic lights at the Rue D’Argens crossroad, which caused pollution problems in residential areas.

According to the plan, Ġuże Miċeli Street will be closed off, directing commuters using Tal-Qroqq sports complex, University and St Monica School to residential areas.

Vice mayor Joe Galea highlighted the fact that the proposed junction on the Gżira side would have a steep gradient, which meant cars would pollute even more and it would prejudice the quality of life of residents as well as the value of their private property.

“If this project goes through, Gżira would be turned from a village to a passage,” council architect Joe Bugeja said. The flow of traffic will improve on the Regional Road but the waiting time will be shifted to Gżira, he said.

“The aim of this investment should be to reduce the problem and not shift it.

“We believe that a better option would be if this project was integrated with the planned road that would link University Heights with Manoel Island,” he said. Plans for this road have, however, been on hold for several years.

The Gżira council will be holding a meeting to consult with residents and commercial stakeholders.

This follows on the objection of Nature Trust, Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar and residents from lower Kappara earlier this week.

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