During a meeting held by the Malta Labour Party, the Msida Local Council said traffic congestion and flooding are the prime problems it is currently facing.

The meeting formed part of Labour’s initiative regarding the formulation of a regional development plan for Grand Harbour.

Msida councillors complained that public health is being negatively affected by the sheer amount of cars that pass through the town. A recently commissioned study showed that 90,000 cars pass through Rue d’Argens every week, a fact that contributes directly to empty housing units in the thoroughfare. The St Luke’s Hospital incinerator is also a matter of concern said the councillors.

The traffic issue, according to the Msida council, has a negative effect on the town’s business community. The lack of parking spaces has been a serious setback as Msida retailers are more often than not forced to abandon their enterprise because commuters find great difficulty in finding adequate parking.

The other principal problem Msida has to face regularly is floods. The council complained that plans to curb the problem have been promised for years, yet have never materialised. Things may take a bad turn, said the council, if development were to be undertaken in the former Birkirkara outside development zone areas. To this end, the council said it would prefer being consulted beforehand by authorities rather than learning from the local media.

Msida is home to two main educational institutions that have thousands of students, the University and the Junior College. The sheer influx of students, said the council takes its toll on its resources. With the opening of Mater Dei Hospital, added the council, the problem will expand further.

MLP leader Alfred Sant said the party believes Grand Harbour is an area of great potential and the party is keen on creating new opportunities for the region. He said this is achievable by emulating work done in Sydney or Liverpool, where harbours were regenerated on both social and economic terms.