No timelines exist yet for the rehabilitation of Wied Blandun as the government issues a call for a scientific study of the degraded valley in Fgura.
Labour MP Silvio Parnis, chairman of the Consultative Council for the South, said the government had opted for a scientific study before deciding on the interventions to rehabilitate the area.
However, he would not give a timeline for the project despite having pledged last December to have the studies completed by mid-2015.
“The Consultative Council for the South f Malta is committed to implementing this project in a timely and adequate manner,” Mr Parnis told the Times of Malta.
In Budget 2015 the government allocated €125,000 for the study and the call for tenders expires on August 31. The call is for a desk study, a site description and a preliminary risk assessment.
Mr Parnis said the valley, which runs below the bastions forming part of the Cottonera Lines, would be rehabilitated in a sustainable manner.
“The aim of this project is mainly the rehabilitation and restoration of Wied Blandun. It shall neither alter nor adversely affect areas of archaeological, ecological, scientific and historic importance.”
The scientific study is necessary to evaluate the level of degradation in the area primarily caused by years of dumping of hazardous grit blasting waste from the shipyards.
According to the Malta Environment and Planning Authority, Wied Blandun forms part of the drowned valley system of the Grand Harbour area. It is a half a kilometre long and its water is dependent on rainwater run-off from the streets of Paola and Fgura. The valley is one of the few remaining open spaces in the conurbation around the Three Cities.
It comprises terraced fields and the area closest to the road which leads to Fgura includes an important stand of carobs and almonds. In November 2001 Mepa scheduled Wied Blandun for its scientific and ecological importance.
kurt.sansone@timesofmalta.com