The Alternattiva Demokratika has praised a proposal for the roofing of Regional road in Santa Venera.

Recently, the Ministry for the Environment, Sustainable Development and Climate Change initiated the process of preparing and compiling a high-level assessment of the feasibility of roofing over part of Regional Road, Santa Venera. The proposal was in the PL's electoral manifesto.

"The party hopes that the roofing is carried out as soon as possible as this is the least the residents deserve, after waiting for almost 30 years.  Alternattiva Demokratika is pleased that its proposal is finally being taken up. The party's youth wing - Alternattiva Demokratika Żgħażagħ - has also worked to raise awareness on the need for covering the 'canyon' slicing through Santa Venera. It worked together with residents to raise the issue of the pollution, noise and inconvenience this 'canyon' is causing."

Alternattiva Demokratika also expects that once the roofing is complete, the newly reclaimed area be turned into a green area and open space. "Such a measure is essential for a town like Santa Venera where traffic and pollution are rife every day. Moreover, Santa Venera has very few green spaces. It is crucial that such an opportunity for creating a green area is not missed."

Alternattiva Demokratika said that such a development must not be looked at in isolation.

"Whilst this is a positive step for the residents off of Regional road, this episode should serve as a stark reminder of the negative impact that traffic has on residents in Santa Venera and all over Malta."

AD spokesperson on transport and infrastructure Ralph Cassar said: "A holistic strategy on traffic needs to be developed, one which aims to reduce the number of cars as opposed to increasing the amounts of roads taking traffic to already congested and polluted areas. The PN and the PL have only shown interest in the latter, and the results are clear, even in Santa Venera. The results are there for everyone to see: traffic has increased and noise and air pollution have made people's lives a living hell. Just ask those residents above Regional road."