PD, AD take shots at Gozo tunnel project

● Proper consultation, real discussion, and respect for environment lacking - PD ● Tunnel will bring more destruction and increase pollution - AD

Partit Demokratiku yesterday said it would be launching its policy for Gozo over the next few days, insisting that a completely different approach to that being promoted by the government was necessary to tackle the island’s insularity.

Recent public statements, the party said, indicated that the Gozo tunnel, as currently proposed, was a done deal.

“The total lack of public participation is incredible considering that this is a major project with far-reaching effects on Gozo’s fabric. The island’s environment, way of life, physical capital and social milieu will be forever changed, and for the worse,” said MEP candidate Camilla Appelgren.

“PD stands for a structured plan that, through positive discrimination, leads towards a level playing field for Gozitans and brings real meaning to its Poplu Wieħed (One People) call,” a statement read. The issue of connectivity did not need a permanent link to be solved, it added. “Decision makers need to think out of the box,” said MEP candidate Martin Cauchi Inglott, “and PD will soon be launching a series of proposals on how Gozitans can get better access to opportunities and better connectivity.”

While acknowledging that the government had an electoral mandate for a permanent link, all the necessary studies on environmental impact and on technological issues had to be carried out and presented for public consultation, PD said.

PD asked whether the government had considered other technologies, besides seabed tunnelling, which do not impact so negatively on the environment. It questioned why the tunnel being proposed was earmarked for car use, rather than some form of mass transportation that could eventually be integrated into a broader network in Malta as well.

“The feeling that such major projects are being presented to the people when all major decisions have been taken generates a sense of resignation, which needs to be resisted. We cannot allow such projects to be presented as a fait accompli,” said MEP candidate Anthony Buttigieg.

Tunnel will bring more destruction and increase pollution - AD

While acknowledging the need to address and facilitate sustainable mobility between the islands of Malta and Gozo, the proposed tunnel below the seabed between the islands was no solution, Alternattiva Demokratika - The Green Party said at a press conference yesterday.

“It is the creation of more problems both at Ta’ Kenuna on the Gozo side, as well at l-Għerien on the Maltese side.”

Party chairperson Carmel Cacopardo addressed a press conference at l-Għerien, in the limits of Mellieħa, where according to what is known to date the entrance to the tunnel will be sited at the Malta end: very close to lImbordin in St Paul’s Bay.

In addition to the large quantity of rubble – approximately one and a half million cubic metres – on the Malta side, the tunnel would be a threat to the Miżieb aquifer, the only natural water reserves still in a relatively good condition, he said.

“It will impact the Pwales valley, as this will have to host an average of around 9,000 vehicle movements daily. The pollution generated by these vehicles will undoubtedly impact the agriculture and ecology of the valley. As a result of noise pollution, light pollution and air pollution by the generated traffic, the tunnel will impact the Simar Nature Reserve, situated a few hundred metres from the proposed tunnel, at the far end of the valley.”

“It has been observed, from technical studies in hand as well as from sampling of rock in the area, that the tunnel will be bored through the troglodytic hamlet (L-Għerien), or very close to it, such that another part of our heritage will be obliterated.”

The projected tunnel will facilitate the movement of cars between the islands as it is the number of cars using the tunnel which will generate the income of those investing in this ill-advised project, he said. “This runs against both letter and spirit of the National Transport Masterplan 2025 approved in 2016 and which establishes the reduction of cars on our roads as a primary objective.”

Alternattiva Demokratika agrees that the problematic mobility between Malta and Gozo has to be properly addressed. “However, this has to be carried out in a manner that creates the least number of problems. The only solution which achieves this aim is the introduction of a fastferry service between the islands: between the Mġarr port in Gozo and various points along the Malta coast, among which are Xemxija, Sliema and Valletta. This service must be complemented with an upgraded public transport system between these points and the rest of the island.”

It is essential, he concluded, that solutions to transport problems take a long-term view in order that future generations are bequeathed fewer problems than we have inherited from our predecessors. The government should take note and desist from ignoring the dissent on its tunnel plans.

During the press conference, another two local council candidates on behalf of Alternattiva Demokratika were introduced: Luke Caruana for Mellieħa, and Simon Galea for St Paul’s Bay.