The feasibility of a permanent link between Gozo and Malta is being studied. It is therefore relevant to ask how many Gozitans are in favour or against.
The referendum on spring hunting may offer an opportunity to obtain a reliable indication at a marginal cost. Gozitan voters who turn out for the referendum can be given a surveywith the following questions to answer:
“If you are in favour of a permanent link between Gozo and Malta, do you prefer a bridge or a tunnel?”
‘‘If you are against a permanent link between Gozo and Malta, do you prefer:
(a) More trips by the ferry service between Mġarr and Ċirkewwa and vice-versa?
(b) The installation of a hoistable car deck on the MV Gaudos to improve the present car ferry service?
(c) The addition of another car ferry to be on standby to operate extra trips between Mġarr and Ċirkewwa and vice-versa to reduce long queues?
(d) The addition of a fast catamaran ferry service between Mġarr and Msida and Valletta and vice-versa?
(e) More incentive schemes for the creation of jobs in Gozo?”
The reduction of the time to cross between the two islands by a permanent link may be rather limited, also depending on the traffic. However, the cost would be substantial, which probably would result in high tolls. The damage to the environment has also to be considered.
But the ferry alternatives listed above can achieve a real improvement with quite less capital expenditure, while increases in fares would be also smaller. Part of the money saved can then be applied to job creation in Gozo.
A permanent link on its own may not be enough to encourage the creation of jobs in Gozo. On the other hand, a permanent link may have an undesirable effect, which may have been rather overlooked so far.
If a bridge or tunnel is built, it may then be decided that Gozo no longer needs its ministry, hospital, court, public and land registry, public library and archives and university campus.
Someone may even propose that the Gozo diocese with the Bishop and seminary would no longer be necessary.
It could be argued that with the permanent link Gozitans would be able to travel more easily than previously to Malta for these services.
But will Gozitans be happy to lose these services on the island, just to reduce the travelling to Malta by a short time?