Gozo Minister commits to “achieve a more sensitive design” for Marsalforn Road project

Din l-Art Helwa Ghawdex has said that it is “hopeful” that meetings held last Tuesday with the Minister for Gozo Clint Camilleri, and with Mr Mario Borg, CEO of the Gozo Regional Development Authority about the Marsalforn Road Reconstruction Project, will “mitigate the damage the new road will cause to the Marsalforn Valley and its traditional landscape.”

It was noted that discussions had been underway for a number of weeks to “find solutions” to detailed concerns that have been put forward by Din l-Art Helwa Ghawdex and the environmentally-conscious public.

Minister Camilleri stated his “commitment and openness to achieve consensus and to incorporate proposals by Din l-Art Helwa Ghawdex to achieve a more sensitive design which will retain the road’s scenic character, minimising the amount of agricultural land taken, loss of trees and the risk to valley watercourses while reducing traffic in central Victoria through the planned bypass, ensuring road safety and reducing the overall cost of the project.”

Mr Mario Borg stated that “revising this project to minimise loss of valuable agricultural land while addressing other concerns to improve accessibility and alleviate traffic from Victoria centre goes hand in hand with the proposed Regional Development Strategy for Gozo as proposed by the GRDA.”

On behalf of Din l-Art Helwa Ghawdex, President Alex Torpiano expressed the NGO’s appreciation to the Minister and his technical consultants for their “positive and constructive approach in seeking better solutions to meet the concerns of all stakeholders, and to ensure the project is carried out within a holistic approach with minimum environmental impact while catering for the real needs of Gozo and its community.”

DLHGh added that “in light of the ongoing positive discussions the NGO has refrained from launching a Planning Appeal in good faith, and with a belief that there is a genuine commitment to solve the key issues.”

They said that another meeting with all stakeholders is planned within the next few weeks to finalise the new plans and achieve the much-desired consensus.

Photo: GRDA