More than 1,400 objections to Central Link project

Attard residents call on PM to modify plans

The Attard Residents Environmental Network (AREN) said yesterday that the number of submissions on the government’s plan for a Central Link aimed to improve traffic in the Attard area reached 1,400.

These representations request that this project is improved to a point of making it sustainable and less invasive. In the meantime, an online survey revealed that over 70 per cent of respondents feel that the proposed project will not improve the traffic volume issue in Attard.

In another online petition, 1,900 representations went towards calling on Prime Minister Joseph Muscat to see that this project is modified in such a way as to minimise its environmental and social impact. The numbers are very encouraging for AREN, as in just a few weeks, it has raised awareness and involved itself in constructive open discussions, with stake holders and residents of Attard.

Several meetings have been held with top government officials and NGO’s who contributed with professional advice and feasible ideas which offer realistic alternatives, the group said.

AREN said the project will see the obliteration and complete destruction of over 450 trees, 48,000 square metres of arable land, destruction of the livelihoods of 47 farmers. Worse still, the proposed project as presented, will be factually attracting more traffic towards Attard area and will consequentially increase pollution levels.

Moreover, more than 1,100 residents will be isolated in between two major arterial roads, exposing them to unprecedented levels of toxic fumes and pollution. The irreversible damage such a proposed project will do is not tenable in a country boasting as one of the most progressive and modern EU member states.

On the other hand, it seems that the present administration is shelving the modal shift transport reform proposed in its 2016-2025 transport reform document and is only working on facilitating more private car use by widening roads. In view of this, AREN said it has proposed that a by-pass designed using international standards and set at a distance of around 150 to 200 metres away from residential areas, could be installed on existing country roads or elevated on pillars, reducing its environmental foot print by more than half of what is currently proposed.