The government needs to continue to explain the benefits of the Central Link project, one that will be ‘environmentally-friendly’ and has been needed for decades, Infrastructure Minister Ian Borg said today

Making reference to Sunday’s protest against the project by some 1,000 people, Borg said he had respect for people who wanted to genuinely express their concern regarding environmental matters, but not to others whose presence at the protest contradicted positions they took on other situations in the past.

“This is a project which is in favour of the environment. Some of the trees which protestors tied themselves to will not be touched.” He added that the plans have been revised and changed numerous times to make sure certain trees found in that area will not be touched or removed. He also added that the project will see the planting of 285 more trees.

“I go up and down that road three or four times a day and I’ve seen numerous trees die or be uprooted and nobody replaces them; but in this project we will replace them.”

Borg explained that the widening of roads will cut travel times and lead to the reduction of car emissions. “It will make a difference, and we will continue to explain the benefits of this project.”

When asked whether the project plans will be revised, Borg explained that the project has been revised and approved by the Planning Authority. “We will continue to work hard after we have listened to what the people have to say.”