ERA found environmental impact of project ‘unlikely to be significant’

The Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) had concluded that the effects of works in the Santa Lucija area, that would see 550 trees uprooted (262 of which would be transplanted), “are unlikely to be significant”.

This comment was made in a letter by the ERA on the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Screening process. “This application has been subject to an EIA screening in line with the provisions of the EIA Regulations, 2017. The screening concluded that environmental impacts from the development are unlikely to be significant and the submission of an Environmental Impact Assessment is not required,” the full paragraph read.

In statements yesterday, both the ERA and Infrastructure Malta argued that more trees than currently exist will be planted.

The works at Santa Lucija are for the construction of an underpass at the St. Lucija/Tarxien roundabout, linking Vjal Santa Lucija to Triq il-Barrani including the widening of the road.

The proposal will involve the excavation works within the Sta Lucija/Tarxien roundabout to allow the construction of the underpass, the widening of the road (including the demolition of existing structures within this area) to the southwest of both Vjal Santa Lucija and Triq talBarrani and the uprooting of trees along both roads to allow road widening, the reconstruction of the St. Lucija/Tarxien roundabout at a slightly different position and the construction of new slip roads to connect the roundabout to Vjal Santa Lucija and Triq tal-Barrani. Infrastructure Malta is insisting that travel time will be reduced by 30 per cent and has committed itself to try relocating the trees within the same zone as much as possible.

“In addition to this, a cycle lane will be introduced along the southern extents of Vjal Santa Lucija, with the aim of it eventually being extended into Triq Hal-Luqa,” the case officer’s report had read.

Submitted drawings indicate that a total of 547 trees will be uprooted to make way for the development, out of which, 262 trees will be transplanted within or close to the scheme site, the case officer’s report had read. While the ERA concluded that no Environmental Impact Assessment was needed, the ERA included a number of conditions to form part of the permit approved documents. These include the carrying out of a noise impact study, a works method statement for the construction works, and numerous conditions with regards to soil and waste management.

In a statement issued yesterday about the project, the ERA assured that all works involving trees as part of the Vjal Santa Luċija and Tarxien project will be taking place under ERA’s scrutiny. “1,011 trees will be planted (757) or transplanted (254) within the same area, which includes Paola, Santa Luċija, Għaxaq, Tarxien, Marsa, Zejtun, Marsascala, Luqa and Zabbar. When the project is completed, there will be approximately 300 new trees in the same area than there is at present,” the ERA said

“This will compensate for 293 trees that will be uprooted as part of the plan for a road project that will divert traffic between Tal-Barrani Road and Vjal Santa Luċija through underground tunnels. Additionally, 1,257 trees will be planted in Magħtab/Għadira s-Safra and Majjistral Park.”

The transplanted Oleaeuropaea, Ficusmicrocarpa and Morusalba specimens have to be maintained by the permit holder for a period of three years from planting, the ERA said.

“Evidence of transplanting must be submitted to ERA within one month of planting. Should any of the transplanted trees die within this period specified above, the permit holder must replace the trees within the first planting season with trees of the same species.The permit holder must regularly inspect the transplanted tree to administer necessary care and monitor recovery.”

Compensatory planting must be carried out within the first planting season following issue of the permit and evidence of compensatory planting must be submitted within one month of planting, the ERA added.

Photos appeared on social media showing decimated trees, and caused a public uproar. These photos came hot of the heels of a massive environmental protest aimed at saving trees planned to be uprooted through a different project – The Central Link – in Attard.

Infrastructure Malta yesterday released a statement about the Santa Lucija project. The agency said that the project costs around €20 million, and that it will improve safety and efficiency along the route.

The statement read that the project was approved in September 2018, and that works on site started a few days ago with the excavations for the foundations of the new slip roads as well as the reconstruction of the jogging track. “The site of the existing jogging track needs to be excavated to build part of a 1.1 km twin walk-through underground culvert, which will extend from Tal-Barrani Road to reach another similar underground tunnel network being built beneath the new flyovers of the Marsa Junction Project. These tunnels will accommodate one of the country’s principal 132kV high voltage electricity network connections, linking the Delimara Power Station with the distribution centre at the site of the former Marsa Power Station.”

The existing Tal-Barrani Road pedestrian underpass (subway) connecting Tarxien and Santa Lucija will be refurbished and upgraded with new ramps.

“At the same time, the underpass will also be directly linked to the new jogging track, so that it can be safely reached by Tarxien residents as well. The new jogging track is being built in consultation with the Santa Lucija Local Council.

“The new cycle track, almost a kilometre long, will form part of a longer safe cycle route connecting Luqa, Santa Lucija, Tarxien, Paola and Marsa.”

All excavation works are being carried out under the supervision of archaeologists approved by the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage, to ensure that if any historical remains are unearthed, they are adequately studied and preserved.

“Infrastructure Malta is also working with the Environmental and Resources Authority to minimise any ecological impacts. Before works started, the agency obtained the necessary nature permits to uproot 295 trees that need to be removed to build the tunnels and the new slip roads. Under the guidance of experienced arborists, another 254 trees are being prepared to be transplanted to other nearby areas, including the new jogging track. The new areas where the trees are being transplanted, mostly in Santa Lucija, were approved by the Authority as well. Along the project route Infrastructure Malta is planting 597 new indigenous trees so that once the project is ready, this area will have 300 more trees than there are now. As an additional environmental contribution, through this project Infrastructure Malta is also planting another 1,269 trees at the Majjistral Park, Mellieha, at the Maghtab Park, Naxxar, and at Marsascala.”

Infrastructure Malta is planning to complete this project by the end of next year, along with the Marsa Junction Project.

Vague statement from Santa Lucija Local Council

After numerous attempts for a comment from the Santa Lucija Local Council, they posted on their facebook page a vague statement regarding the project. The statement read, “The Santa Lucija Local Council will be monitoring the process of this project. We will be collaborating with Infrastructure Malta to make sure that the project will be of the highest benefit and least impact for the locality.”

When the newsroom contacted Ms Charmaine St John, mayor of the Santa Lucija local council whether the Council agrees with the project and uprooting of the trees, she simply said that the statement explains their position of the project.