Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1211430
15 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 16 FEBRUARY 2020 EYEWITNESS JAMES BIANCHI Land lost A farmer who tends to her fields in Attard looks on as a digger gobbles up agricultural land that will be lost forever to the Central Link roads project. A court this week dismissed an appeal against the Central Link project, but expressed disappointment at the fact that works had started before the court had issued its decision. The appeal, filed by a number of NGOs and residents, had argued, amongst other things, that the appealed decision of the Environmental and Planning Revision Tribunal had been taken on the basis of documents which were never released to the public and that there was a serious conflict of interest on the part of persons contributing to the Environmental Impact Assessment. Central Link will overhaul the road network between Mriehel and the foot of Saqqajja Hill, creating a new road in the outskirts of Attard to split traffic flow in the area. The government says the project will cut traffic congestion and reduce air pollution in the area but environmental groups and a residents' group contend otherwise. The project also caused controversy over the number of trees that will have to be uprooted that prompted a large protest in the area last summer. Project plans show that 439 trees will be uprooted, including 67 protected trees. Of these trees, 185 will be relocated along the new road, and 539 indigenous trees will be planted as part of the project. In a 62-page judgment on the matter, Mr Justice Mark Chetcuti expressed disappointment at the fact that works related to the project had started before the court had decided the case "as if the rejection of the appeal was guaranteed, an assumption which… does not reflect well on the applicant and can cause the perception of doubt upon the independence and impartiality of the court or pressure on the operation of this court." NGOs said they were now mulling European Court action against the project.