Gozitans have long clamoured for a permanent link to Malta but not everyone there agrees a bridge or tunnel will be of benefit.

Veteran hotelier Victor Borg admits he is not too keen on either of the options that have caught popular imagination over the past two years.

“I would rather prefer spending a substantial amount of money in Gozo itself to improve cleanliness, upgrade roads, ensure maintenance of rubble walls, improve the ferry service and create job opportunities that will cut down the need for Gozitans to travel to Malta,” he said.

Mr Borg was reacting to the news that a feasibility study conducted by a Chinese firm found a bridge at almost €1 billion to build. The annual maintenance cost would be €4 million.

Read more in Times of Malta.