Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1313317
7 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 29 NOVEMBER 2020 NEWS JAMES DEBONO A reservoir inside Valley Road will be turned into a 35-space car park in plans submitted by Infrastructure Malta. The car park is intended at addressing growing parking needs in the area, generated by the increase in the number of offices and flats. The footprint of the park- ing area has been kept within the boundaries of the existing 850sq.m reservoir, in order not to intrude into the existing green areas. No trees will be uprooted, and 13 new trees of the Ballut type will be planted. The ministry told MaltaTo- day the reservoir had lost its purposes following the com- pletion of the National Flood Relief Project. Originally, the open reservoir acted as a small retention soakaway basin for rainwater from Birkirkara into Valley Road and from the San- ta Venera Tunnels leading into Tal-Qroqq. "This is not the case anymore after the completion of the National Flood Relief Project which eliminated most of the flow of storm water that used to fall on this part of Valley Road and with the new projects being undertaken by Infra- structure Malta," the transport ministry said. The reservoir was also prone to fill up with sewage over- flows, causing a health hazard apart from inconvenience to the nearby properties as it was becoming a breeding ground for mosquitos and other in- sects. "This has generated a number of complaints from people who live and work in the area and the Public Works Department is regularly being requested by the Sanitary Au- thorities to empty this reser- voir from the stagnant water," the ministry said. Redundant Valley Road reservoir will become car park Car park will address growing parking needs in the area, generated by the increase in the number of offices and f lats