A government claiming to want qualitative localities is still determined to push through a three-storey flyover through the heart of Msida in spite of opposition to the project, the Nationalist Party said Thursday.

Residents in our villages deserve a country of quality. On this, there is agreement between the Government and the Partit Nazzjonalista. However, actions speak louder than words, the PN said.

During a press conference addressed by Shadow Minister for Transport and Mobility Mark Anthony Sammut, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure and Capital Projects Joe Giglio, and the Mayor of Msida Charles Selvaggi, the PN again urged the Government to halt the construction of the planned flyover for the centre of Msida and consider alternatives that do not further increase traffic congestion in this area. The other PN Councillors from Msida were also present.

The speakers stated that although the Minister for Infrastructure is saying it is now too late, "we are still in time to stop it".

The infrastructure we allow to be built today will have an impact for generations to come. A three-storey flyover in the middle of Msida will be the legacy we leave to our children and grandchildren.

Furthermore, neither the Minister nor Infrastructure Malta have guaranteed that this flyover will actually reduce traffic in the area. The flyover, which will have only one lane in each direction, will exacerbate congestion near the skatepark next to the University, so much so that, during a consultation meeting, Infrastructure Malta mentioned there are plans to start another project further up once the flyover's construction is completed.

This method of traffic management is outdated. In recent years, despite the construction of other flyovers in congested areas around the country, we still find ourselves stuck in traffic daily.

The solution is not to build more roads but to adopt a new approach and infrastructure that promotes the use of alternative transport means and comfortable and efficient mass transportation options.

Msida Mayor Charles Selvaggi emphasised that the local council has always had reservations about the flyover and its effectiveness in solving the traffic problem, despite agreeing on the need for a project that regenerates Msida through open spaces.

He noted that these reservations were also clearly documented in minutes taken during a Council meeting on 31 January last year, which show that the Council as a whole - then with a Labour majority - had concerns about ongoing traffic near the skatepark. Although the Council had been informed that another plan was in place, it held reservations until more details were provided on how this issue would be addressed.

To date, the Local Council has received no response. Even Infrastructure Malta appears not to have a clear plan on the next steps, despite the construction of the flyover being scheduled to start soon, the PN said.

If we are to build a flyover in the heart of Msida supposedly to ease traffic but know that it will create more congestion, it is unfair for today's and future generations of Msida residents to bear the burden of a flyover in the heart of their village that ultimately solves nothing.

The PN continued to urge the Government to halt the construction of this flyover and consult with the many architects and experts available, so that Msida residents, too, can enjoy a country of quality without a flyover in the heart of their village.