There should be absolutely no doubt that the Gozo tunnel project if pursued and pushed through will sound the death knell of two highly beneficial facilities.

The tunnel will bring to an end the pleasant and efficient Malta-Gozo ferry service and render useless the well-designed landing and parking areas on both sides.

Alas, another case of millions of euros down the drain!

The project would, at the same time, rob people especially tourists of enjoying the fascinating sea and landscape views that grace both sides of the channel.

It stands to reason that a functioning tunnel will encourage commuters to cross over in their own cars or public transport as a more expeditious way to reach their destination.

The most evil and devastating slaughter will definitely be that of eliminating once and for ever the unique eco and peaceful atmosphere of a highly relaxing and attractive place − one of the very few left ‘away from it all’.

It requires little imagination to visualize the unending stream of vehicles and motorcycles making their way in both directions but especially from Malta on weekends and holidays.

This heavy influx will blitz, by its excessive loads and unbearable noise, an area never designed or intended for such a devastating volume of traffic.

Goodbye, as well, for good to the relaxing and inviting atmosphere of Marsalforn, Xlendi, the Fungus Rock and such like places since they will be unable to withstand the overwhelming load of traffic and parked cars destroying forever the attraction of such localities which only Gozo can offer throughout the Maltese archipelago.

 May we hope and expect that common sense added to the wishes of the majority preserve these riches for present and future generations.

If not history will register a third siege this time brought about by our contemporaries ferociously attacking and destroying a sizeable swathe of our dear and valuable territory.

Edwin Calleja

BALZAN