The plans for the Msida Creek project is yet again fail to cater for the social and functional character of Msida, beyond being a junction for car traffic, NGOs said.

A few days ago, Infrastructure Malta presented the revamped plans for the Msida Creek Flyovers, illustrated with mature trees but with gaping deficiencies when it comes to the prioritisation of public and active (e.g. walking, cycling) modes of transport, according to 11 environmental organisations.

While the new plans present an aesthetic improvement, organisations and experts in the field are frustrated to note how this multi-million major infrastructural project is yet again failing to cater for the social and functional character of Msida, beyond being a junction for car traffic. Msida Creek is first and foremost the social and cultural centre of the town of Msida, but also an important pedestrian intersection for the local community, members of the educational institutions in the vicinity, and users of the public transport network. 

Specifically, the current proposal: 

• lacks safe and efficient connections for anyone not inside a car between Msida and the University and the skate park, as well as between Msida and Birkirkara - a densely populated locality and the most popular commute destination,
• lacks dedicated bus lanes,
• lumps pedestrians and cyclists together in what will undoubtedly be congested paths, and has a complete absence of specially designated bike lanes.

We also note how, according to the renders, the fishing community of Msida will be relocated into the narrow canals. Apart from our general scepticism towards the upkeep of these canals, this move seemingly gives way to an extension of the yacht marina into the heart of Msida, yet again sending the message that big business is given priority over community texture. The same can be said about the nature of infrastructural project planning, where public consultation often takes the form of a box-ticking exercise, rather than an attempt to create a space that caters for community needs.

The model Infrastructure Malta is pushing has been shown to fail very quickly, as Marsa and Central Link remain congested areas of heavy traffic and road fatalities. Projects such as these continue to undermine our physical and environmental health, and should not be the sink of national spending, unmatched by the poor political will and financial investment towards promoting public and active commuting.

The NGOs welcome the fact that Infrastructure Malta had been willing to revise the original plans to incorporate some of the public’s concerns, such as an aesthetic improvement over the first plans and the relocation of a pedestrian area in front of the church, and therefore expect that they will again consider further improvements to give the area the long-term vision it deserves. 

This press statement is endorsed by Moviment Graffitti, Friends of the Earth Malta, Din l-Art Ħelwa, The Archaeological Society Malta, Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar, Nature Trust - FEE Malta, BirdLife Malta, Rota, Extinction Rebellion Malta, ACT and Ramblers Malta.