Following the introduction of the Bill that extends the powers of the Malta Transport Authority (ADT) in Parliament on Tuesday, it was given a second reading on Wednesday evening, with members of the opposition giving their views before Roads and Urban Development Minister Jesmond Mugliett’s winding up speech.
The opposition’s main spokesman for transport and infrastructure Charles Buhagiar brought up a number of questions including the Malta Environment and Planning Authority’s (Mepa) role when it comes to ADT-related matters.
He asked whether Mepa would still be required to approve changes to road alignment and reiterated the need for an upgrade of the Valletta bus terminus, as well as the need for better road design.
The Labour spokesman also brought up the issue of subways, asking whether the ADT has been trying to encourage their use and whether there where any plans to have more of them. He also asked why nothing had yet been done about the planned foot bridge over part of the Mriehel bypass.
Speaking about the public transport system, the Labour MP said the EU had proposed the creation of private-public partnerships; this should and would be easy and beneficial for the ADT, said Mr Buhagiar, adding that traffic management should also be made more professional.
He also referred to the Controlled Vehicular Access system in Valletta, asking what progress had been made since it was introduced. He complained about the lack of un/loading bays and that there were too few parking bays reserved for residents.
Next to speak was Labour’s main spokesman for social solidarity, Marie Louise Coleiro Preca, who spoke about the weaknesses of the public transport system, particularly the fact that it is not always available to people living on the outskirts of towns and villages like Siggiewi and Qormi.
She also spoke about the lack of un/loading bays and complained that the ADT had not yet provided compensation to those whose land had to be expropriated for streets to be built.
Labour’s main spokesman for agriculture, fishing and rural development Noel Farrugia complained that traffic contraventions were not serving their purposes in the traffic management system.
He said that although the Bill would increase the ADT’s enforcement powers, education campaigns should also be a form of enforcement. He also called for better road design, pavement design and workmanship.
Labour spokesman for housing Stefan Buontempo spoke about the need for measures that would improve road safety and complained about the lack of uniformity of law enforcement.
The last Labour MP to speak during Wednesday evening’s parliamentary session was Joe Mizzi, the party’s main spokesman for infrastructural services.
He argued that although the Bill was aimed at broadening the role of the ADT, which is theoretically a step in the right direction, the authority did not have a record of transparency, efficiency and accountability.
Referring to Mr Buhagiar’s comments, Minister Mugliett said Mepa would still be responsible for the approval of road structure and alignment. Major projects would still require Environment Impact Assessments and applications for development permits would still be necessary.
Speaking about the Controlled Vehicular Access system, the minister said 25 per cent of all parking spaces in Valletta were reserved for residents. He said the ADT wanted to further improve accessibility, especially for un/loading purposes, but said it was impossible to have an un/loading bay for every shop.
As for road building, Mr Mugliett said the new roads were built well; they were safer than the older ones and did not flood easily. Before concluding, he reiterated that government was keeping its word to build 600 residential roads.