The Attard Residents Environmental Network (AREN) met yesterday morning with the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects, Ian Borg to discuss proposals the network is putting forward regarding the Central Link Project.

Generally, the Central Link Project is planned to improve the entire route between the Mrieħel bypass in the direction of Birkirkara, Balzan and Attard, going on until the Saqqajja hill roundabout, which connects Ta’ Qali, Attard, Rabat, Żebbuġ and Mosta.

AREN had previously noted that through induced demand this project would impact negatively the residents of Attard by introducing more cars to the area as well as decreasing the overall quality of life.

They also proposed a number other solutions to the increase in traffic problem: to reduce the number of cars as well as an increase in public transport, bicycles and walking areas; to transform the new bypass into a tunnel; and if the bypass had to be built it shall be built at least 200 meters away from residential areas and should be a twoway bypass. During the meeting with Borg, AREN was informed that he would make sure that these proposals would be considered and analysed, revising the plans as necessary.

Professor Christian Scerri, a member of AREN commented that every time there have been discussions with the Ministry plans were revised in a positive manner.

Speaking with Scerri, The Malta Independent discussed what is being proposed for the Central Link Project and what AREN are suggesting should be done instead. Scerri first noted the amount of pollution that Attard residents have to endure at the moment during peak hours as traffic comes from Rabat and Mosta.

The Central Link Project proposes amendments to the junction leading from the Corinthia Palace which will no longer allow drivers to go straight to Rabat but must instead go back to the MFSA roundabout, which will be built as part of the same project. Scerri believes that this will cause increased traffic into Attard and as result, more pollution, as drivers will not use the new junction.

There is also the issue that the road to Zebbug will be closed for people coming from the top of Attard, having to travel a long way to eventually get to their destination. Scerri says that this project will not solve the amount of traffic passing through Attard, but at the most would make it easier to travel toward the Rabat area.

Scerri also explained the theory of ‘induced demand’ which simply put means that if wider roads are available than more cars will pass through them and in the end cause more pollution.

With the Central Link Project, Scerri says the number of cars passing through Attard will actually increase. This is proven by a number of international studies which show that in seven years the benefit of doing building larger roads equates to that of doing nothing.

 

The proposed ‘monstrous’ bridge

An enormous pedestrian bridge which Scerri described as “monstrous”, larger than the one which was recently built on the Mriehel bypass, will form part of the project and will be constructed near the road leading out of the Corinthia Palace. The bridge will be about 200m long and as Scerri notes could easily be replaced with a subway.

Due to the long distance that needs to be crossed Scerri believes people will still use the road, making the bridge entirely useless. He explains that this bridge is not included in the tender for this project but simply shown in the plans.

The alternative proposals

Pushing for other alternatives such a teleworking for government workers and university ecourses should be considered in accordance with Transport Malta’s strategic and master plan that the number of cars needs to be reduced.

A number of other proposals listed in the plan was not being followed with the realisation of this Central Link Project, explains Scerri.

Scerri quotes part of the plan stating, “The social impact of too many vehicles passing through urban areas has been identified as a major issue in Malta. High volumes of traffic passing through urban areas can often sever communities, physically segregating residents from basic amenities and community services…”

If cars are reduced then there is room for improvement for public transport, with Scerri noting that the government needs to increase the number of buses available. More discipline is also required for the public transport system to work, especially with regards to timings. He also proposed that buses should be made free of charge during peak hours, whilst at the same time placing a congestion charge on private cars.

However, since it appears that the government is insisting on the bypass one should be built further away from Attard using already available roads. AREN are putting forward an alternative road for a bypass which would destroy less arable land and will pass over a quarry.

Another advantage of their proposal is that the bypass will be a four-lane road which will avoid more cars in Attard.

Qormi and Zebbug will also benefit from this proposal as it will be easier for cars to pass through the proposed bypass from Qormi to Attard to Rabat.

Scerri also explained that to further reduce the loss of arable land the bypass can be elevated. This will also reduce the risk of buildings being constructed next to the bypass as what happened with the Mriehel bypass.

Furthermore adding elevation to the road increases the dispersion of pollution and reduces the concentration of pollution.

With this solution, cars are being placed about 200m away from the village, which is the minimum distance required to reduce pollution by 50%. The length of the proposed bypass is also 2km less than that proposed by the government.

Another advantage is that public transport will flow easier through the current roads as private cars will use the bypass. With the government’s solution buses will not be able to access the village centre.

Other alternatives are present as to the start and finish of the bypass as proposed by AREN and were all put forward to Borg in the meeting on Monday.

Effects of pollution - “We should be very worried”

Apart from his vested interest in the Central Link Project Scerri is also a Professor at the University of Malta specialising in genetics.

When questioned about the poor air quality ratings which one can find on Malta Scerri said they are very real and “we should be very worried.”

Pollution affects not only the lungs and cancer but throat, heart, blood pressure that cause inflammation. A large number of diseases are related to pollution and this is proved in a number of studies.