The Labour Party yesterday gave an overview of the general aims of its regional development plan for the Grand Harbour area, which party leader Alfred Sant had originally unveiled on 24 November.
Speaking at a press conference at The Strand in Sliema yesterday, acting Labour leader Charles Mangion, flanked by other members of the Labour Party, told journalists that one of the projects was a new promenade linking Gzira to Sliema, as well as a parking area in the St Julian’s/Pembroke area.
The plan consists of 100 projects that would be implemented by 2020. It covers the whole Grand Harbour area from east to west – Kalkara, Cottonera, Marsa, Floriana, Valletta, Pietà, Msida, Ta’ Xbiex, Gzira and Sliema.
Dr Mangion explained that it is a holistic plan that takes into consideration a number of socio-economic issues that need to be addressed and it forms a vital part of the MLP strategy to boost economic growth in the country.
Discussions with stakeholders began towards the end of spring this year. After that, a group from the MLP – led by Dr Mangion, who is also the MLP’s main spokesman for finance and economic affairs, and Charles Buhagiar, the party’s main spokesman for public works, roads, public transport and construction – started drafting the regional development plan, with projects aimed for completion by 2020.
Dr Mangion said the development of the maritime industry, as well as efficient and reliable maritime transport facilities was one of the plan’s key elements.
“We believe that a new maritime transport system connecting every area in the harbour is an innovative, environment-friendly idea that would also reduce traffic congestion, which is one of the Grand Harbour area’s main problems,” said Dr Mangion.
The plan also indicates the party’s intention to set up an authority for the Grand Harbour area, which would serve as a one-stop-shop with regard to every project for the development of the area. The authority would have its own budget and would be responsible for the implementation and administration of the proposed projects.
Dr Mangion explained that the projects are intended to be funded by both public and private investment.
“We want to primarily create incentives for the private sector and complete projects without any unjustified over-runs,” he said.
The acting Labour leader said the party plans to provide more quays and other maritime facilities, more parking areas, a solution to floods and sewage problems, as well as improved accommodation, particularly in certain areas in Kalkara, Vittoriosa and Marsa.
Moreover, the party plans to provide new and better recreational and sports facilities and restore historic buildings and monuments.
The MLP plan also mentions the creation of new promenades from Valletta to Floriana and on towards Marsa, from Kalkara to Vittoriosa, Cospicua towards the back end of Senglea point, and another promenade from Floriana to Pieta’, Msida, Ta’ Xbiex, Gzira and Sliema.
Dr Mangion said the MLP was also proposing to have a maritime transport system with ferries connecting every locality in the Grand Harbour and Marsamxett areas.
This system would be complemented by parking facilities on the peripheral zone of the Grand Harbour, so the MLP is proposing the creation of a new parking facility in the Floriana/Marsa area, another one somewhere between Cospicua and Fgura and a third one in the St Julian’s/Pembroke area.
Moreover, a circular public transport system using small vehicles would connect the various ferry stages to the parking facilities.
In his concluding remarks, Dr Mangion said the plan also mentions the party’s intention to create a service road and pedestrian zone in the Gzira/Sliema area to form part of the development of The Strand.
Finally, the plan also proposes the creation of a yacht marina between the “ferries area” in Sliema and Tigné Point, as well as the embellishment of the Ta’ Xbiex yacht marina.