Arnold Cassola, Alternattiva Demokratika Chairperson, has announced that German Green MEP Michael Cramer, who is a specialist on transport issues and sits on the Transport Committee of the European Parliament, will be in Malta next week to discuss the issue of the proposed road in Ghadira with Minister Austin Gatt.

Prof. Cassola said, “Since it is planned that this road be financed by EU monies, it is only right that we ensure that the EU and Maltese taxpayers’ money is invested in a proper and sustainable way. AD supports the position taken by Din l-Art Helwa that Government should make all available studies on the proposed road public.”

Carmel Cacopardo, Alternativa Demokratika Spokesperson on Sustainable Development and Local Government, added, “The Ghadira Nature reserve is a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) protected in terms of the Habitats’ Directive. The road as proposed by Government will have a negative effect on the Nature Reserve through bringing both traffic noise and light pollution much closer to the said reserve. We are still not convinced that it will not damage the tourist investment at the Danish Village, as well as the Nature Reserve in Ghadira.”

Ralph Cassar, Alternattiva Demokratika Spokesperson on Transport, Industry and Innovation, said, “It is good thing that consultations are being held with Birdlife and the Danish Village management, but we expect a public consultation at the earliest possible. The Ghadira nature reserve is administered by Birdlife on behalf of the Maltese and Gozitan community and ultimately it is this community that has to be convinced and satisfied that this project is really needed and well planned. We join the call made by NGOs for the Minister to publish any studies regarding beach erosion, if these exist. There is a real danger that removing the current road will put the nature reserve under threat since the road protects the reserve from destructive storms.”

Carmel Cacopardo further said that the assurance by Minister Gatt that the planned road will not impinge on Foresta 2000 was welcome but, he added, on the basis of the information published by the Minister, AD is convinced that it will be prejudicial to both the tourist investment at the Danish Village, as well as the Nature Reserve in Ghadira.

Whilst emphasising that the EU will not finance projects adversely affecting SACs Carmel Cacopardo concluded by insisting that the plans published earlier this week be scrapped.

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