Updated at 5pm with Transport Malta comments

There is no master plan for Mrieħel yet, a chief officer at Transport Malta admitted during a hearing of the appeal against a permit granted to developers of a high rise.

The case was instituted by eNGOs Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar, Friends of the Earth, Ramblers Association and Qui si-Sana Tigne Residents’ Association.

“Despite the fact that the area has been changed into a traffic-generating Enterprise Hub, the TM CEO stated that a plan for the locality was not in place and would not be finalised for at least another two years,” the eNGOs said today.

“This essentially means that the high-rise development would be completed and operational by that time, further straining the junctions at the traffic lights by the MFSA and the Mrieħel secondary school which are already operating beyond capacity. Lack of proper and timely planning will only result in further congestion and traffic mayhem which the eNGOs vow to challenge at every turn.”

The lack of consultation prior to the permit approval had been flagged last year by the PN.

Read: Postpone Mriehel high-rise decisions until after consultation, says PN

Transport Malta comments: The change of land use from a low traffic generating ‘Industrial Area’ to a higher traffic generating area ‘Enterprise Hub’ was a decision taken by Parliament in their approving of the SPED.

Two critical junctions on Mriehel bypass are currently at capacity during peak hours and, as this road forms part of the TEN-T comprehensive network, Malta is legally bound by EU Regulation to holistically upgrade this road to remove traffic bottlenecks.

The Master Plan for Mriehel Enterprise Hub is listed as a measure in Government’s Transport Master Plan 2025 (approved by European Commission) for completion in the short-term (2-3 years).

This developer (and all other major developers in the area) are required to financially contribute to both the Mriehel Master Plan and the holistic upgrade of the road infrastructure.

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