Social media fears that concrete barriers laid along the promenade at Sa Maison are parts of plans to cut down down the trees appear to be unfounded.

Several readers contacted Times of Malta after concrete barriers were placed along sections of the Msida-bound lane of Triq Marina, blocking off the pavement and trees from traffic lanes.

However, this is a false alarm as the works involve reinforcements on the sea-side of the wall. The barriers are there to protect passers-by as works start to install a pontoon for the Marina di Valletta.

A spokesman for the marina said that two trees would be temporarily moved to protect them from the works but that they would be replaced as soon as the project was completed, in line with the permit.

A screenshot which included a purported PA application further fuelled fears.

People's fears were further stoked by a social media post which included a screenshot of a purported planning application to uproot trees in the area.

The application, to widen bus lanes, introduce bus lanes and uproot trees was filed by "Stanley Portelli obo Transport Malta." 

The detail is telling, as Mr Portelli quit Transport Malta in March 2013, following the general election, and was replaced as authority CEO by James Piscopo. 

Lija trees

The outcry over Pieta' comes just weeks after Transport Malta's decision to hack down Holm Oak trees in Lija to make way for an additional lane of traffic provoked widespread anger and dismay. 

The Lija decision was however backed by the Environmental Resources Authority, Environment Ministry and Transport Ministry, with all three coming to the transport regulator's defence.