Although Gozo possesses a rich architectural heritage and a uniquely beautiful scenic environment, electrical steel poles are currently being erected in rural areas such as Ras il-Bajjada – an undisturbed stretch of countryside that leads from the tranquil village of Munxar to Xlendi cliffs.
Alternattiva Demokratika chairman Harry Vassallo said: “While we acknowledge safety and security for people and property are also of paramount concern, it is necessary to recognise the importance of quality of light versus quantity. In order to preserve and enhance the unique qualities of the islands, the undisturbed countryside and the visual environment, it is essential to encourage the highest quality of outdoor night-time lighting through the adoption of lighting standards.
“As in the case of Xlendi Cliffs from the village of Munxar, light above the horizontal should be minimised in all installations, as it is wasteful, can be intrusive, and increases sky glow,” he said.
Dr Vassallo added that recent insensitive developments such as Cospicua Garden and the urbanisation of Wied Babu in Zurrieq have received scathing comments from Mepa’s Audit Officer. “Public funds should not be spent on projects that are unnecessary, intrusive and damaging,” he said.
“Major corporations such as Enemalta or the Freeport should also be held to account on such matters as the removal of the hundreds of surplus electricity poles that have been left to rot in the countryside or excess lighting causing unnecessary glare beyond what is necessary or useful.”
The type of lighting generally favoured nowadays in order to reduce skyglow and light pollution is the flat glass full cut off (FCO) luminaire. This is defined as a luminaire which, when installed at the specified design altitude, gives zero intensity at and above the horizontal.
AD member on the Gozo Regional Committee and resident of Munxar Michael Bajada said: “In such rural areas as the countryside around Munxar, preference should be given to passive means of warnings to drivers and pedestrians. These include the installation of reflective road markers, lines, warnings or informational signs and reflectors at the sides of the road. These eliminate the need for the use of artificial lighting altogether and thus should be seriously considered.”
He continued: “Such light pollution has been proved to harm various natural ecosystems as well as exert subtle physiological effects on humans.”
AD’s Gozo spokesman Victor Galea said: “Gozo should try to reach EU standards rather than give in to please the suppliers of electrical steel poles to continue with excessive lighting polluting our countryside without distinguishing urban lighting from road lighting.
“The answer to light pollution at night is not to keep all our streets dark, but to use proper and intelligent lightning without creating disturbance. We encourage local organisations such as the Light Pollution Awareness Group within the Astronomical Society of Malta to continue their good work in advocating less light pollution,” he said.
Mr Galea concluded: “The Gozo Ministry and the Tourism Association should extend its niche tourism product. Astronomical observation tourism is a niche market that we have hardly begun to exploit. By ruining the countryside with irresponsible lighting, we will certainly not encourage such niche tourists to choose Gozo as their
destination.”