Plans for the introduction of Malta’s first cable car, linking the iconic Għadira Bay to the Mellieħa village core, have been “temporarily shelved”, mayor John Buttigieg has confirmed.
Unveiled as part of Labour’s manifesto for the 2013 council election, the proposal had raised eyebrows from the very beginning.
At the time, critics had dubbed the proposal as a campaign stunt on grounds that the project would involve a financial outlay well beyond the council’s budget.
READ: Council wants cable car to Għadira Bay by 2017
Nevertheless, the Labour Party had managed to regain municipal control of the locality, thus paving the way for the implementation of this ambitious project.
The council has other priorities for the time being
This alternative mode of passenger transport was intended to ferry people from the village core to the island’s largest sandy beach, which is also home to a number of hotels and holiday complexes.
A few months after taking office, the Mellieħa mayor had told this newspaper that works would start when the council had the plans and the necessary funds in hand.
Preliminary studies on its construction had been undertaken and efforts to seek European Union or central government funding were being made, Mr Buttigieg had said.
Four years down the line, however, the project has not materialised and the issue was recently raised in Parliament by Mr Buttigieg’s predecessor who is now an Opposition MP.
Robert Cutajar asked for a copy of the studies in connection with the project.
Local Government Minister Owen Bonnici replied that no studies had been carried out because the project had been halted.
He added that the council was exploring the possibility of launching the cable car project through private investment.
Contacted by this newspaper, Mr Buttigieg said an expression of interest would have to be issued.
“The cable car proposal has been temporarily shelved as the council has other priorities for the time being,” he said.
No time frame for a public call to interested parties was given.