The NGO is satisfied that more local councils are participating this year, restricting traffic in their localities and organising a number of sports activities and interactive events for children, and applauds the theme of this year, In Town without my Car – Safe Streets for Children.
Recent statistics state that Malta has close to 280,000 vehicles, making it the European country with the fifth highest car per capita ratio despite its miniscule size.
Vehicular emission is undisputed as a leading source of air pollution on our islands and children are the most vulnerable sector of society.
Nature Trust invites the general public to participate in the initiative as a token of support for the introduction of lingering practical aftermaths of such an awareness event.
Car Free Day shall remain a PR event until our authorities embark on a parallel fully-fledged campaign to establish a true alternative to the use of private vehicles for everyday transport.
To date public transport fails to reach its potential of being a workable solution in the quest for sustainable transport on our islands.
Suggestions mentioned for a long time are still ink on paper. These include the increased use of regional schedules and direct routes, more nocturnal transport, schedule information at bus-shelters and bus tickets valid for a year.
Additionally, while welcoming the
introduction of bicycle lanes by a few local councils, the NGO still feels
reluctance by authorities to make bicycle lanes widespread.
Nature Trust said that transport by bicycle for our short distances has strong environmental, health and social credentials.
The NGO is also in favour of renewable energy options in vehicle technology and encourages authorities to provide exhaust monitors to wardens so that drivers of vehicles that are emitting excessive fumes are fined.
Locality Roads closed to traffic Time
Attard Triq il-Kbira, Triq il-Pjazzetta (including Alleys No 1 and 2), part of Triq il-Mosta, Triq San Duminku, Triq Sant’Anna, Triq ir-Rand, Triq il-Mithna
(including Alleys No 1, 2 and 3), part of Triq il-Belt Valletta, part of Triq Birkirkara, Triq Hal-Qormi (including Alleys No 1, 2 and 3), part of Triq Haz-Zebbug
(including Alley No 1), Triq Tumas Dingli 07.00 – 16.00
Birzebbuga Triq il-Bajja s-Sabiha (from Triq San Pawl to Triq San Edwardu) 09.00 – 16.00
Birkirkara Triq il-Kbira (from Triq il-Wied to Triq Kostantinu), Triq Santa Liena, Pjazza Santa Liena, Triq is-Santwarju, Triq Tumas Fenech, Triq l-Imnajjar,
Triq Rigu, Triq Brared (to Triq John Borg), Triq l-Isqof Labini (to Triq John Borg), Triq Bwieraq (to Triq is-Salib Imqaddes), Triq Angla, Triq iz-Zebbiegh,
Triq San Guzepp, Triq l-Imsida (from corner with Triq Santu Rokku to Triq il-Kbira), Triq il-Kollegjata, Triq il-Wied (from Santu Rokku bridge to Triq Mannarino) 09.00 – 18.00
Balzan Bertu Fenech Square, Triq Dun Spir Sammut, Triq Guze Bonnici, Triq Idmejda, Triq il-Barriera, Triq il-Kbira (including Alleys No 1 and 2), Triq il-Providenza
(including Alleys No 1 and 3), Triq it-Tabib J Zammit (near Triq il-Providenza), Triq Mons. FX Zahra, Triq Santa Maria (including Alleys No 1, 2, 3),
Triq S.Valentin, Triq Santu Rokku and Triq Wigi Ebejer 09.00 – 16.00
Birgu Triq il-Mina l-Kbira, Triq Desain and Triq il-Kardinal 12.00 – 20.00
Dingli Triq il-Kuncizzjoni, Triq Santu Rokku, Triq il-Parrocca, Triq San Pawl, Triq il-Knisja, Triq Ghar Bettija, id-Dahla tas-Sienja, Sqaq il-Museum, Sqaq Tlieta 09.00 – 16.00
Floriana Access only from Triq Sarria and Sa Maison. Exit – private cars from Triq il-Kapuccini after passing through Valletta and Crucifix Hill,
public transport from Triq Sant’ Anna. 08.30 – 20.30
Gharb Triq Dun Alwig Mizzi, part of Triq il-Knisja 09.00 – 12.00
Gzira Triq Stuart 09.00 – 16.00
Hamrun Triq il-Kbira San Guzepp (from Triq il-Kanun to Triq Schembri) 09.00 – 16.00
Iklin Triq Geronimo Abos (from the roundabout to the Bypass) 12.00 – 20.00
Isla Triq il-Vittorja – from Triq San Lawrenz to Triq San Giljan 09.30 – 17.00
Lija Triq Sir Ugo Mifsud corner with Triq il-Kbira, Pjazza Trasfigurazzjoni corner with Triq il-Kbira, Triq Trasfigurazzjoni corner with
Triq Robert Mifsud Bonnici and Triq Fernand Gregh Saturday 18 September 08.30 – 18.00
Luqa Part of Triq Sant’Andrija, the church square, part of Triq Dun Pawl 14.00 – 20.00
Marsa Triq Hal-Qormi, Triq is-Salib 09.00 – 16.00
Mgarr The square including Triq Fisher, Triq il-Kurat Chetcuti, il-Wesgha tal-Gublew Sunday 19 September 11.00–16.00
Wednesday 22 September 09.00–14.00
Mqabba Main Square 15.00 – 18.00
Munxar Church Square, Triq il-Madonna tal-Karmnu and part of Triq Kolaci 08.30 – 12.00
Msida Triq il-Parrocca, Triq il-Knisja (from Triq D’Argens to Triq Antonio Bosio), Triq Mons. Falzon, Triq Victor Denaro
(from the square to Triq l-Isqof FS Caruana), Triq is-Swatar (from Triq il-Ballija ta’ Gutenberg to Triq Mons Arturo Bonnici), Triq J Borg,
Triq Antonio Bosio, Triq Mons. Dandria, Triq Gioacchino Navarro and Triq Antonio Sciortino 09.00 – 12.00
Nadur Triq Dicembru 13, l-Arcipriet Martin Camilleri Square 08.00 – 20.00
Naxxar Victory Square, part of Labour Avenue (from Yorkdale Stationers to the main square) 13.00 – 23.00
Paola Pjazza, part of the Ta’ Lourdes zone 16.00 – 20.00
Qrendi Triq l-Imqabba 09.00 – 16.00
Rabat Triq il-Kbira, Triq Gusmana Navarra, Parish Square, Triq il-Kullegg (from Triq il-Konti Ruggieru downhill), Triq Sant’Antnin,
Triq Santa Rita (corner with Triq Emanuele Vitale to Parish Square) 09.00 – 17.00
Safi Church Square 08.00 – 12.00
San Giljan Triq Gorg Borg Olivier (from City of London Bar to Saddles Bar) 18.00 – 22.00
San Pawl il-Bahar Sqaq tax-Xemgha, Triq San Gwann Battista, Triq San Guzepp, Triq l-Iskola, Triq il-Kattidral, Triq il-Karmnu, Triq San Frangisk sat-Torri 12.00 – 20.00
Santa Lucija Part of Triq Ines Soler, part of Dawret it-Torri, Triq Begonia, Triq id-Dalji, Triq Kamelja, Triq Gardenia 16.00 – 19.00
Santa Venera Triq il-Kbira San Guzepp 09.00 – 16.00
Siggiewi Triq Santa Margerita (from Santa Marija statue), Triq San Nikola, San Nikola Square, Triq il-Parrocca 09.00 – 19.00
Sliema Triq il-Katidral, Triq San Guzepp 08.00 – 19.00
Ta’ Xbiex Ta’ Xbiex Sea Front 09.00 – 12.00
Valletta All closed except the perimeter (from the Phoenicia to Crucifix Hill) 06.