Alternattiva Demokratika is demanding a “new normal” to improve air quality, saying that “air is cleaner, but it’s no thanks to the Government.”

AD noted that it had long been calling for a reform within the transport sector to improve air quality.

It stated that both Nationalist and Labour Governments resisted such calls and only implemented measures targeting the energy sector, “although even there the measures are hardly enough,” while neglecting transport, which the Party described as the “elephant in the room.”

“Indeed the Nationalist Party wants cheaper fuel, leading to more pollution and more health issues,” said AD.

The PL and PN take it in turns to display their shortsightedness, depending which of them is in opposition, to promise cheap, polluting fossil fuels.

The Party reiterated that road transport was a major contributor to air pollution according to the Malta’s National Air Pollution Control Plan, and further noted that air quality improved with reduced traffic as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“We cannot continue taking road traffic for granted. Solutions do exist, but we need to have the courage to move forward with them,” stated Alternattiva Demokratika spokesperson and Secretary General Ralph Cassar. “We need a new normal, where we focus on preventing illness rather than curing it. This approach is essential as it will not only save lives, but also save money.”

He explained that “the solutions are two-fold: both incentives and disincentives are required. Sustainable travel modes like bicycles and pedelecs need adequate safe infrastructure all across the Maltese Islands, whereas public transport needs many more bus lanes, and much more investment to further increase routes. A Bus Rapid Transit system is a must.”

“We oppose road widening, because it is not only destructive from a land use perspective, but also counter-productive as it encourages people to drive and emit more pollution. We support low emission zones, along with restricting traffic in village centres,” said Cassar.

He added that, “these measures have been successfully tested in numerous European towns and cities, and have not only improved air quality, but also brought a new life within town and city centres.”

Ralph Cassar concluded, “people’s health should always come first, and it is for this reason that we demand a new normal!”

Permalink: AD demands a “new normal” for the improvement of air quality