Birkirkara should be transformed into an accessible and people friendly town, AD Chairperson Carmel Cacopardo said while speaking in Pjazza Santa Liena, Birkirkara.

He said that traffic, flooding, accessibility and good governance are among the main challenges facing the local council.

"Birkirkara is the largest locality in Malta. Traffic congestion on roads in the heart of Birkirkara affect the air quality, maybe more so than other localities. Storm water from neighbouring localities also floods parts of Birkirkara."

"Birkirkara will surely be one of the places which could benefit if the National Strategy on Transport is implemented. The stratgy calls for the reduction of short distance trips by car (less than 15 minute trips) and a shift to bicycles and public transport. Birkirkara need not continue to be a drive-through locality in the centre of the country. More streets in Birkirkara should be returned to the people through pedestrianisation. This is a huge opportunity to develop a sense of community that connects the locality."

Birkirkara still faces floods whenever it rains. Governments have repeatedly sought to address the effect but have done little on the causes of flooding, he said. "Millions of litres of good water are lost because over the past fifty years the requirement to have wells with every building has not been enforced. Birkirkara is the victim of incompetent public administration which ignored the responsibility to see that each house is equipped with a well of adequate size."

Birkirkara requires roads and pavements which are accessible to everyone, he added. "Local councils, including that of Birkirkara, should be at the forefront to encourage the government to divert some of the € 700 million to reconstruct roads, to reconstruct accessible and suitably sized pavements and pedestrian walkways. Local councils should also ensure that pavements are free from obstacles that often compel residents, particularly the most vulnerable, to walk on dangerous roads instead."

The Birkirkara Local Council also needs a dose of good governance, Cacopardo said. "The National Auditor's Office reports that although council finances are today better than they were some years ago, the financial situation has still not reached the levels required by good administration."