The residents of Attard who form part of the 'Attard Residents Environmental Network' called on the government to reconsider the decision to build a by-pass in Attard, saying the project will cause environmental damage.

The letter was signed by 432 signatories, who say that the construction of the Attard Bypass will destroy various arable land and will affect 47 farmers.

Letter in full

PN MEP Francis Zammit Dimech has also intervened on the issue, asking the European Commission whether it feels that the Central Link Project reflects the spirit and priorities of the EU’s Cohesion Fund.

“The Central Link Project will be completed through the use of the Cohesion Fund project will be completed through the use of the Cohesion Fund which investment priorities include preserving and protecting the environment, protecting and restoring soil and measures to improve environmentally-friendly (including low- noise) transport systems. Stakeholders who feel that they will be impacted by the project such as residents, farmers who work the land next to such roads and cyclists have raised various concerns on the project.”

“This is because traffic and the resulting emissions will be brought closer to their homes, extensive stretches of agriculture terrain will be taken over by roads and the safety of cyclists has been questioned. Furthermore it seems that no social impact assessment and traffic impact assessment have been made. Moreover, stakeholders have claimed that they have not been consulted. Does the Commission feel that the way this project is being proposed reflects the spirit and priorities of the Cohesion Fund and the Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan (SUMP) promoted by the Commission?” he asked.