Ħal Far race track will be built, Transport Ministry says after metro depot concerns
The Ħal Far race track proposal will be implemented, the Transport Ministry told The Malta Independent on Sunday, following concerns raised due to the metro studies proposing that a depot is created in the same location.
The site of the Ħal Far race track, as well as the site of the Meridiana Vineyards in Ta’ Qali, have been identified as two possible sites for a metro depot, according to the metro studies that were published.
The studies were carried out by Arup Group, a Londonbased design, engineering and planning firm. The metro system as proposed will include three metro lines with a total of 35km of tracks and 25 stations across Malta’s main urban area. The study suggests that the metro system will mostly be underground, with a small part of it above ground between Naxxar and Bugibba.
The studies identify the Ħal Far area as the preferred location for the metro depot (see photo). In this option, the depot would be built between the current existing raceway and the industrial area. The study reports that “the identified area is most likely to deliver a site of sufficient size to meet the requirements (circa 13-15 hectares). Also if the areas surrounding the depot site are already infrastructure, the design of the depot facilities will need to take into account the environmental conditions of the area and the design of any new buildings should include measures to manage any potential visual impact to integrate the depot with the surrounding landscape”. This location, however, would see an overlap with the race track proposal announced by government some weeks ago.
The alternate site mentioned in the metro studies is in Ta’ Qali, on the site of the Meridiana Vineyards. “This area lies outside the built up area and is most likely to deliver a site of sufficient size to meet the requirements of the system (circa 10-12 hectares).”
“However, the Ta’ Qali area is a sensitive location due to the cognisant of the environmental conditions of the area,” the studies read.
The Malta Independent asked the Infrastructure Ministry about this proposal. The ministry was asked whether it is considering backing out or modifying the Ħal Far race track project as a result of the metro proposal. It was also asked whether government would seriously consider the Ta’ Qali location.
“With regards to the depot facility, there are two locations identified so far in the presented reports. The Ħal Far race track is a commitment that was recently announced and which will be implemented,” the Ministry said.
Transport Minister Ian Borg had previously indicated that, when it comes to the metro studies, the proposals aren’t set in stone and that right now government is focusing on discussions. When, earlier this month, Borg was asked about the station design for Pembroke, he had said: “The stations and every other proposal included within the Arup report were issued by Arup. The report explains the size of each station and the need and use that there might be. Government is not tied and has not expressed itself neither in favour nor against. We want there to be a discussion.”
The metro project proposal has seen nationwide debate on the studies drawn up. It is a proposal that needs to be carefully considered, given the costs involved as well as the various impacts it will have.
In terms of costs, government had already announced that the project would cost around €6.2bn. The documents show that annual net costs calculated for 2030 for the full metro network would stand at €43m. In terms of value for money, the document reads that the proposal will have high costs in the early years, and in due course, “the benefits would outstrip the ongoing costs. In economic terms the investment breaks even after 37 years (that is, the economic benefits to date exceed the costs to date after 37 years)”.
One particular challenge that would need to be dealt with would be excavation material.
The excavation of the metro tunnels would result in a large volume of material. The feasibility study reads that the potential reuse of excavated rock will be a “significant consideration” for this project. “The potential reuse of the limestone needs to be considered and it is anticipated that the excavated material can be used as general fill and/or as part of potential reclamation projects.”
The study points to another study that was conducted in 2008 regarding land reclamation and highlights the two preferred areas along the northern coast of Malta. In terms of excavation volumes, it is estimated that 9,800,000 tonnes of material would be excavated.
Asked whether government agrees that land reclamation should be used, and whether it agrees that land reclamation should be used in these specific areas, the transport ministry said: “At the launch, it was also made clear that the issue of land reclamation is a parallel discussion that the country needs to discuss and decide on if it opts to move forward with this project.”
Current public transport issues
The study also outlines the issues that the current public transport system faces.
“Malta is currently served by an extensive network of bus routes which have a very large catchment, but the existing public transport suffers from a number of issues.” These issues are listed as long journey times compared to travelling by private car; congestion resulting in bus services not turning up on time on occasions; capacity issues on certain routes and at the main bus terminus at Mater Dei Hospital and Valletta and infrequent services outside principal urban areas.
The studies note that Malta has a dense road transport network with short travel distances, “which has resulted in the dominance of the private car as the primary means of travel, resulting in significant congestion and delay”. It acknowledges that ongoing improvements to the TEN-T network have improved journey times.
If a metro were to be introduced in Malta, it will have an impact on the current public transport services. This newsroom asked the Transport Ministry whether there have been any discussions with the bus network operator regarding the possible impacts a metro could have on the bus service, and possible route changes that might be needed. “In the relevant technical briefings, Arup experts explained that if such proposal is implemented, there will be changes in bus services and routes; however, this will offer opportunities to increase bus demands outside the Principle Urban Area with the delivery of more feeder lines and circular lines to feed each of the metro stations in the system,” the ministry said.
The ministry said that government “positively notes the public discussion which is taking place after the publication of the study results and the full results themselves”.
Among other things, the studies read that the metro would see a number of benefits to travelling in Malta, such as reducing travel time, as well as creating opportunities for “substantial improvements in the public realm, adding value to historic areas with the potential to attract increased levels of economic activity”.