A lot has been said about the pros and cons of having a tunnel between Malta and Gozo. However, I am not aware a proper and professional study was carried out to determine if the road network in Gozo will cope with the traffic generated and all that it brings with it.

This is also likely to lead to more new development to meet the demand of people residing on the island, thus increasing traffic there. This means pollution, noise and traffic congestion.

Throughout the year, Gozo is visited by locals and foreigners, some of whom have settled permanently on the island because of its charm, tranquillity, culture, the environment and clean air. Are we really prepared to jeopardise all this when one can find other solutions to make life easier for the Gozitans and Maltese who have to commute between the two islands?

One solution, which, I am sure will be of less detriment to our environment and will cost less than the tunnel is an efficient system of more frequent and faster ferries from different locations in Malta, coupled with a scheduled bus service to specific destinations on the island directly to and from the ferry terminals.

I am quite sure not all Gozitans are in favour of the tunnel because of the impact this will have on their lifestyle, notwithstanding the discomfort of having to make the crossing. They are very proud of their ‘jewel in the Mediterranean’ and they have every reason to want to leave it as it is.

I have been visiting Gozo every year and still treasure my childhood memories during the summer holidays in Xlendi when it was still a small fishing village without electricity at the time. I have seen Gozo change over the years and while we should embrace progress, we should be careful we do not erase what makes us who we are. We owe this to future generations who deserve to continue to enjoy the beauty of Gozo.