Marsaskala is set for an €18 million regeneration project that will see works on the promenade, upgraded open spaces, and a fast ferry service linking the locality to Valletta, Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Public Works Chris Bonett has said.

The project is led by Infrastructure Malta. Bonett said the town had been left behind for too long.

"This is an important moment for Marsaskala. Marsaskala is abandoned and does not deserve this. Marsaskala deserves much better," he told reporters, adding that the project is aimed at improving community wellbeing and ensuring sustainability for current and future generations.

The plans include works along one and a half kilometres of promenade, new benches, shaded areas for relaxation, and a fully renovated children's playground designed with security in mind.

The existing slipway will be rebuilt and a new fast ferry terminal will link Marsaskala to Valletta.

Government projections suggest the service will cut 21,900 car trips a year and save around 76,700 litres of fuel, amounting to €103,000 annually, while reducing emissions.

The terminal will be supported by a 350-space park-and-ride facility at Sant'Antnin, as well as a circular bus route connecting passengers to Marsaskala. The ferry will be hybrid-powered and similar to the Valletta ferries, and assurances were given that no swimming zones will be affected. Bonett also stressed that the project is not linked to any marina plans, insisting that "this is not politics, but a green and white flag for Marsaskala."

A survey showing public sentiment on the ferry service was presented during the press conference by statistician Vincent Marmara, who carried out the survey through telephone and mobile interviews with a 95% confidence level. Results showed that 59% of respondents supported the introduction of the service, 24% opposed it and 17% were unsure. Of those in favour, the main reasons cited were greater convenience and a belief that it would reduce traffic.

Among opponents, 22.9% said their main concern was the environmental impact of the location, 16% pointed to the proximity of the Cospicua ferry, 14% were worried about rough weather, and 13% raised concerns about reduced parking and increased traffic in the area. Among the 17% who were undecided, many said it depended on multiple factors they were still uncertain about, with some also mentioning fears about weather and environmental impact.

When asked if they would actively object to the project, 45.9% of those opposed said yes while 54.1% said no. On a scale of one to five, respondents gave an average rating of 3.8 for time-saving potential and 4 for fuel cost savings.

Nearly half of respondents (48%) said the service would save them a lot of time, while 15% disagreed. On fuel savings, 58.3% agreed the ferry would help them spend less on petrol, with 15% disagreeing. 40% said the ferry would make it easier to visit different areas, while 27% did not entirely agree with this.

Asked to identify the main advantages, 36.8% said less traffic, 25% pointed to faster travel, 11.3% said no advantages, and 5% highlighted convenience. On disadvantages, 21.9% expressed concern about bad weather, 15.9% feared the bay would be ruined, 9.2% believed it would create parking problems and 8% were concerned about pollution. Intention to use the service was high, with 72.8% saying yes, 16.2% no, and the remainder undecided.

Marsaskala mayor Mario Calleja also addressed the press conference, saying the project was a much-needed boost. "With my conscience, I believe this will bring great benefits to Marsaskala families and to anyone visiting from other localities," he said. He noted the decline Marsaskala suffered since the closure of the Jerma Hotel and the growing waste problems the town faced, but stressed that the planned improvements, including parking facilities, works at Fajtata Gardens, and the regeneration of the arcades, would help restore the locality. "When you see these results, you gain courage for the project," he added, insisting it would benefit both residents and visitors.

Minister Bonett closed the conference by underlining that the government's approach was not to penalise car users but to offer better options. "Some said we should remove cars, others said we should increase licence costs. Why must we punish people? We must give them a better and more comfortable option - the fast ferry." He said the service is expected to carry up to two million passengers a year, backed by the new bus links and parking areas. "This is our chance to renew Marsaskala. If we leave it abandoned, it will remain abandoned," Bonett concluded.