4 comments so far.Din l-Art Helwa Ghawdex to appeal against Marsalforn Road Project
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Din l-Art Helwa Ghawdex is to appeal against the Marsalforn Road Project, saying that the project will result in the needless destruction of more agricultural and ODZ land and the tragic elimination of more than 200 mature trees, many of them indigenous.
In a statement on Tuesday the NGO said that after studying the controversial Marsalforn Road project and the solutions it offers to lighten traffic congestion with a bypass in central Victoria, provide new cycle lanes and footpaths, it still has “major concerns” regarding the designs for this road and will be appealing against the project which it considers “excessive and overdesigned.”
The proposals, stated DLHGh, will harm existing water courses and the important eco-system of the valley, “bring unnecessary damage to the landscape in this picturesque area of Gozo and altering one of its most beautiful and sensitive valleys forever.”
The NGO went on to say that the proposed two-lane carriageway (not a dual carriageway as reported on some media platforms) provides some positive aspects, however it pointed out that “the proposed, disproportionately wide lanes will increase traffic speed and encourage dangerous overtaking.”
The cycle lane should avoid taking up additional land and should be designed to tie into a Strategic Infrastructure Network, DLHGh said. Any medieval features and ancient walls should be preserved and incorporated into the project, it added.
The NGO said that while it appreciates that re-surfacing and general improvements are needed to make the Marsalforn Road safer for pedestrian, cycle and vehicle users, it remained of the firm opinion that “a better design, which is less harmful to the natural environment of Marsalforn valley can be found and still achieve the desired ends.”
DLH Ghawdex concluded by saying that it hopes to coordinate its appeal with other NGOs and urged the Ministry for Gozo, in charge of the project, to “reconsider the harmful aspects of the design and come up with more sustainable solutions.”
Photo: Din l-Art Helwa Ghawdex
So Guys –
I live here now app. 18 years !!!
In my Opppinion – i never saw so many IDIOTS in planning .
What the h… is what you are planning to do ???
First and only ” Autobahn ” on Gozo
You need an independent person in your – from corruption destructed Country !!!
Healing is the NEW START !!!
You need a complete new aspect on your WHAT – and WHERE !!!
If you are ready to talk to me now – TELL ME – Esther and ” Consorts “
Yes the road needs resurfacing – I think we all agree on that but the totally unnecessary destruction proposed is criminal. Who will it benefit except the few who seem to be so above the law they can do as they please and even begin preparations before permission was granted. it seems they care only about their own pockets and nothing at all for their country or heritage – it is shameful.
The concept to make a 4 way road due to traffic is a big LIE coming from Gozo Minister and he should be investigated and hold accountable for trying to sell something untrue at the expanse of tax payer , loss of more land to the gain of his contractor friends.
I don’t understand this at all.
The bus from Marsalforn to Victoria takes 10 mins max, so I imagine a car does it in about 7 mins. This road would cut perhaps 2 or 3 minutes off the journey for a car user. Does it really make sense to spend a load of money and blight the landscape for the sake of two minutes?
I’ve read claims that it is to reduce congestion. Because of the pandemic and my wanting to avoid buses, I’ve walked this road about twice a week for a few months. I have never seen any kind of congestion, even at the crossroads in Victoria.
I’ve also read that it is to increase safety. I agree that this road can be a bit scary, but that is more to do with the fact that motorists speed and overtake at risky spots. Wouldn’t it be better to spend some money on speed cameras and introduce a policy that any motorist found speeding would automatically lose their licence for a year? That would do a lot more to ensure the safety of sensible drivers and pedestrians.
As I said, I don’t understand this at all.