A new Front was lunched this afternoon – 'Front Favur il-Mina': The Movement has been formed, it said, "to bring together those Maltese and Gozitans who believe, that in the best interest of the citizens a tunnel is to be built between Malta and Gozo."

The Front is made up of a number of university students and during today's launch, which took place at Sa Maison in Malta, Labour MP Franco Mercieca and Nationalist MP Chris Said, who are both in support of the Front, but said that they were not part of the Movement, also spoke about a permanent link between the two islands.

The proposals put forward by the members of the Front, apart from a Gozo tunnel, were to address the situation in the short term, namely a catamaran/fast ferry service and a ferry from Grand Harbour, which they said would help to make the island more accessible to all.

The speakers on behalf of the Front also pointed out that as both Political Parties had included a permanent link within their manifestos before the last election, the voters had already given their consent, and therefore there was not any need for a referendum to be held.

Dr Chris Said pointed out that the various studies that have been undertaken in the past have come to the conclusion that a tunnel between Gozo and Malta is financially viable. This afternoon on his facebook page, Dr Said noted that he agreed with what Front Harsien ODZ had said today, that all necessary studies should be carried out as quickly as possible. He added that it is also important meanwhile to think on improving in the short term, the accessibility between Gozo and Malta.

Dr Mercieca said that Gozo could end up as an island for the elderly, if there was no permanent link between Gozo and Malta. He pointed out that the tunnel project would not mean the closing down of the Gozo Channel Company, but that it may not be required in such a large scale as it is now.

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