The Malta Independent 6 October 2024, Sunday
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Msida Mayor in favour of finding any alternative to a flyover for Msida Creek Project

Semira Abbas Shalan Saturday, 7 September 2024, 09:54 Last update: about 29 days ago

PN Msida Mayor Charles Selvaggi suggested that all stakeholders and entities sit and discuss any alternative proposals for the Msida Creek Project, which would dismiss plans for a flyover.

The Malta Independent reached out to Selvaggi after a leaked report conducted by Infrastructure Malta, written about in the Times of Malta, wholly rejected the Chamber of Architects' idea for the area, which would have ditched the agency's proposed flyover in favour of a 20,000-square-metre park with more than 2,000 trees.

The proposal was deemed "impossible" and "dangerous" and that the agency met with the Chamber to discuss the proposal and outlined several technical difficulties.

Selvaggi, who spoke only on his behalf, and not the whole Msida Council, said that he would not discuss IM's report as he is not a technical person, however, since he became the new Mayor after the Nationalist Party won a majority in last June's Local Council elections, many Msida residents came to him opposing a flyover in the area.

He said that he has always had reservations on the construction of a flyover, and the Council has never taken an official vote on the project. It is open to proposals which do not include a flyover, Selvaggi said.

Selvaggi said he pledged to be there for all Msida residents in the past months he has been Mayor, and said that 99% of Msida residents do not want a flyover.

"Ideally, there would be no flyover, and I suggest a brainstorming session where we sit in discussion with all stakeholders to find an alternative, with the residents themselves," Selvaggi said.

He continued that as per a previous press release the Council issued when the Chamber of Architects first issued their proposal, it is asking for a meeting with all those involved.

"Let us sit down, and realistically see if anything can be done differently, and better," Selvaggi said.

Selvaggi said earlier this week that Infrastructure Malta's current CEO has accepted a meeting with the Council, which is set to occur in the coming weeks.

He also suggested that a survey be conducted with Msida residents, to truly determine the number of people in favour, or against the current plans in place for the Msida Creek Project.

Asked if it is indeed too late to change plans, Selvaggi said that whilst he too thought it might have been too late, the tender has not yet been issued.

He said he would prefer opting for a project involving an open space, without a flyover.

 


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