For all the hullabaloo that greeted the projects in Bisazza Street, Sliema, all seems to be going to plan, traffic is running smoothly; and the plans look great.
Sliema is Malta’s second largest commercial centre after Valletta. For years, it was sought out by tourists and Maltese alike for being chic, modern and about as close as you could get to Milan while shopping in Malta.
Over the years though, Sliema has degraded considerably. The roads are bad, the pollution is choking, black grime cakes the walls, pavements lie broken, cars are parked in any odd haphazard manner and the place is just generally dirty, rundown and in need of some TLC.
Enter the government. Sliema has already seen some work to return the former site of the Magic Kiosk to an open Square. In addition, the private sector has invested heavily in the Tigne` area, and once the ground dries properly, work can be concluded on the access road/tunnel which leads to the new development in the area.
The fact that parts of Sliema will become pedestrianised is welcome. Crossing the roads in certain parts of Sliema is almost as dangerous as playing Russian roulette. You look left, then right; you cross and just as you are doing so, a bus careens around the corner and envelops you in a shroud of noxious black (or white – if using illegal kerosene) smoke as you dart out of its path.
Removing traffic from the nerve centre will certainly allow for a more business and retail conducive atmosphere. The art sculptures, planters, benches and paved areas will all add to the general quality of Sliema as a product. We only have to look at the success registered in Valletta in terms of paved areas and the water fountain that now sits in
St George’s Square.
Still, more needs to be done. Once this phase is completed, the third phase will begin to upgrade the Sliema Ferries area. While one can understand that there might be concerns about deliveries and/or residents’ access to the area while these works are carried out, the long-term result will be beneficial to all. This is, however, being said under the premise that work is carried out on time and within budget.
As things stand, Sliema is in quite a mess. It really needs an upgrade if it is to compete with Valletta and this project seems to be, at least, a start and a move in the right direction.
But let us not forget. Like Sliema, we have Buġibba, Fgura, Hamrun, Birkirkara, Mosta and Paola (and Rabat in Gozo). All these places that we have mentioned need major upgrades. Let us hope that Sliema can provide a good blueprint.