Making the point that he had been misquoted in the past on the subject, Gozo Minister Anton Refalo stressed that he had “always been in favour of necessary studies to examine the best possible option for a permanent link”.

Dr Refalo was, however, quick to point out: “Any decision should ensure that existing services in Gozo do not face pressures with which they cannot cope”.

He added: “As clearly stated in its electoral manifesto, this government believes in improving accessibility to Gozo. The fact that the increase in the number of jobs created in the last two-and-a-half years is already twice as much as the increase registered over the previous five years is proof that Gozo can continue to grow, both economically and socially.

“This Ministry, working closely with the Gozitan Chamber of Commerce, has shown tangible a commitment towards better accessibility.

“Now that a report by Gordon Cordina has confirmed that the tunnel option is more viable than the bridge option, the next phase of studies will be carried out and, following evaluation and consultation – especially with Gozitans themselves – decisions will be taken in order to tackle the island’s double insularity.”

According to Shadow Gozo Minister Dr Chris Said, who had originally spearheaded the bridge-tunnel to Gozo concept when he was in government: “The government has wasted three years because if it had carried on with the studies seamlessly after the change in government, we would have the actual feasibility study ready today.”

The Nationalist Party, he said, always believed that accessibility for Gozo is a life-link, and that an undersea tunnel will improve accessibility significantly.

Dr Said observed how, five years ago when the PN was in government, a permanent link and the possibility of a tunnel had already been discussed and, in fact, studies had been carried out. 

He noted that a pre-feasibility study, funded by the European Union, had been carried out by Mott MacDonald. The report was published in April 2012 and was freely accessible to the public. 

The next step, he said, would have been to carry out the feasibility study and the PN government had applied for EU funds to pay for this. “Then the election came about and I have no clue what happened, as this government, three months after being elected, announced that it was going to study the bridge option.”

Dr Said observed how the PN had remained consistent in its belief that Gozo should be connected to Malta by means of a tunnel, and he reiterated the party’s disagreement with the bridge option.

“In our opinion, a bridge would have a tremendous impact on the environment as a road would need to be built on Comino, not to mention the fact that a bridge in the middle of the sea would constitute an eyesore. A tunnel, on the other hand, would have a minimum impact on the environment.

Dr Said stressed that the Leader of the Opposition, Dr Simon Busuttil, had been clear when he said that that studies on the tunnel option should continue.

Dr Said confirmed that he had had a meeting with the Gozo Business Chamber and that he had been briefed on what was being done at the moment. He expressed his satisfaction that the GBC has remained consistent in its belief that the link should be in the form of a tunnel, and that the organisation had managed to convince the government to go for that option.

On a wider Gozo level, Dr Said stressed that in the short-term the government should stick to its electoral pledge to establish a fast ferry service between Malta and Gozo.

What was interesting, Dr Said observed, was that in the previous two budgets the fast ferry connection had been mentioned, but the project was missing from Budget 2016.

I will rely on the conclusions of the studies – Giovanna Debono

Former Gozo Minister Giovanna Debono has not expressed her position either in favour of or against the construction of a tunnel, but said that she would move according to the studies, once they were concluded. “We need to strengthen transport between Malta and Gozo and there is definitely room for improvement. As regards a tunnel, however, we need to wait and base our decision on scientific studies. I will rely on the conclusion of the studies.”

Mrs Debono said that she was referring to all the studies, from the environmental to the social. “We need to look at the results from all the studies holistically and not concentrate on just one aspect”, she said. She also mentioned that there was a need for a study on the present modes of transport between the two islands.

“What concerns me is that whatever is decided, it will be done in a holistic way for the Gozitans”, she said.