PA agrees to fund Malta’s first transport museum in Birkirkara

The Planning Authority has signed an agreement with the Birkirkara Local Council to partially fund Malta’s first Transport Museum. The Museum will be housed in the former railway station building which is situated in Gnien l-Istazzjon. The Authority also signed an agreement with the Marsascala Local Council to fully fund the resurfacing of the carriage way of Triq il-Qaliet. For these two projects, the Authority will be granting over €500,000 from the recently created Development Planning Fund.

Nearly €400,000 of the allocated funds will go towards the ambitious project the Birkirkara Local Council has for Gnien l-Istazzjon. The project will include the change of use of the existing child care centre into a transport museum, the installation of a lift, the placing of a kiosk with tables and chairs, refurbishment works within the garden and the repositioning of only surviving train wagon in front of museum.

Restoration works on the former train station building will include the unblocking of windows, removal of metal fixtures, repair of deteriorated stone elements and the preservation of historical signs painted on the facade.

The Malta Railway was inaugurated on the 28th February 1883. The line started from Valletta to the old capital city of Mdina at a length of nearly 7 miles. There were six stations along the route which were Valletta, Hamrun, Birkirkara, Attard, Rabat and Mtarfa. The railway passenger train made its last journey on the 31st March 1931.

Perit Vincent Cassar, Chairperson of the Development Planning Fund said, “the purpose of this new fund is to widen its scope and therefore give greater flexibility to what projects can qualify for funding. The Birkirkara project is a clear example that local councils are never short of ideas. We are working side by side them to ensure that ambitious projects do not get delayed but are carried out to enhance the quality of life within our towns and villages.”

The Authority is also funding, to the amount of nearly €118,000, the resurfacing of the carriage way in Triq il-Qaliet, Marsascala. The works will include the scarifying of existing material and laying of asphalt.

This new fund sees its financing coming from the amalgamation of the successful Urban Improvement Fund with that of the dormant Commuted Parking Payment Scheme. In addition, 20% of the revenue generated through applications for the regularisation of development is also being directed to the fund. This combination is bringing and making millions more available in funding for local councils to carry out projects which will better the lives of their residents.