From Mr C. Dunkerley

I refer to the splendid article “The traffic time bomb” by Perit Raymond Vassallo (TMIS, 24 February). I agree with almost all its main points such as parking availability generating traffic and its resultant unacceptable levels of exhaust pollution and noise, and the alarming level of asthma in children, especially in Sliema. I also agree that the solution to the traffic problem is in a vastly improved public transport network, including a metro.

My one disagreement with him is where he stated that Qui-si-Sana residents are enjoying a remission. The complete contrary is the truth. For instance, the government still intends to build an underground car park at Qui-si-Sana Gardens to house some 800 cars which itself will generate more traffic and exhaust pollution, not to mention intensive dust pollution during construction. Then there are the three mega projects in the narrow confines of the same area in the Qui-Si-Sana / Tigne peninsula (which measures only about two fifths of a square kilometre), namely Tigne Point, Town Square and Fort Cambridge. These three projects alone will contain some 1,500 more public car park spaces and some 1,100 residential units, with their own parking spaces, and vast commercial areas. The residential units will probably have about three car owners per unit.

The sum total of cars entering and exiting the peninsula daily will therefore be about 4,600! Then add on all the traffic which has to pass through the peninsula anyway due to the planned pedestrianisation of Bisazza Street and one can come up with an astonishing number of vehicles in a small area causing traffic jams, rat runs and grid locks with all its consequent exhaust emissions to fill the lungs of the poor residents of the whole peninsula. The mind boggles.

Therefore I fully sympathise with Mr Vassallo concerning the intolerable situation that residents of The Gardens and adjacent areas of St Julian’s now find themselves in due to a nearby public car park and the mega project of Pender Place. No doubt he can now understand that the residents of the Qui-si-Sana / Tigne peninsula are in an even worse situation. They are certainly not enjoying a remission.

Christopher Dunkerley

SLIEMA