Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1198602
09.01.2020 16 TOWNSCAPES PA funds restoration of old railway embankment in Attard IN an effort to safeguard and conserve a substantial survi- vor of the Malta railway line, the planning authority has partially funded the restora- tion and conservation of the Attard embankment. Besides the remaining for- mer railway stations and tun- nels, this engineered structure is, undoubtedly, the most im- portant surviving architecture associated with Malta's trans- portation heritage. e Planning Authority, through its Development Planning Fund, contributed over €145,000 to ensure that the restoration project, car- ried out by the Attard Local Council, got completed. e works included the removal of thick vegetation which were causing considerable damage to the masonry fabric, the elimination of non-historic rubble and accretions on and immediately abutting the em- bankment and the stone re- placement of severely eroded masonry elements. e restoration method statement on how the works were to be carried out was ap- proved by the Superintendent of Cultural Heritage. Perit Vincent Cassar, Chair- person of the Development Planning Fund said "the pur- pose of this fund is to widen its scope and therefore give great- er flexibility to what projects can qualify for funding. e Attard embankment project is a clear example that local councils and other organisa- tions are never short of ideas. We are working side by side them to ensure that ambitious projects do not get delayed but are carried out to safeguard our heritage and enhance the quality of life within our towns and villages." e Attard embankment structure which stretches to a length of almost 400metres structure was built to make good the topographical de- pression half-way along the railway route from Valletta with Mdina. Built around 1882 the Attard embankment linked the St. Antonio platform (which was a small stop for visitors to the famed gardens nearby) with the Attard Station. e em- bankment, composed of earth and masonry, was the highest of its kind and included a steel metal bridge over Birkirkara Road as well as two small ma- sonry viaducts allowing pas- sage of farmers between their fields. e Malta Railway was inau- gurated on the 28th February 1883. e line started from Valletta to the old capital city of Mdina at a length of near- ly 7 miles. ere were six sta- tions along the route which were Valletta, Hamrun, Birkir- kara, Attard, Rabat and Mtar- fa. e railway passenger train made its last journey on the 31st March 1931.