Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1367395
JAMES DEBONO SCHEMED roadworks on farm- land, like the one linking the Bieb is-Sultan and Alessio Erar- di streets in Ħaż-Żababr do not require a planning permit. But any deviations from what was originally schemed in local plans do not enjoy this exemp- tion. So one expects that the Planning Authority would have access to the plans showing the alignments of these roads before exempting Infrastructure Malta from obtaining the necessary PA permit. When MaltaToday was alerted by residents that works might be deviating from the alignments shown on the PA's public web- site, this newspaper first asked Infrastructure Malta for these plans. The answer from IM was that the "actual schemed align- ments for new roads, and their respective plans, can be obtained from the Planning Authority." The IM spokesperson even highlighted the fact that the PA's online geoserver states that "the indicative scheme alignment [shown on this online tool] is not the official scheme alignment and the user is kindly asked to contact the Planning Author- ity directly so as to be given an official alignment for the site in question." So MaltaToday duly asked the Planning Authority to provide it with the plans. But in its answer the PA invited MaltaToday to note "that Infra- structure Malta is not required to provide the Planning Author- ity with any plans for roadworks which do not require permission in line with the legal notice ex- empted schemed roadworks from permits." Yet the PA spokesperson ac- knowledged that some changes might have been changed to the schemed plans, saying the Au- thority had been alerted "that part of the building along this stretch of road built in the 90s is partly constructed beyond the official building alignment, which in turn will affect the alignment of the road." He added taht the PA was con- sidering the situation and will take the "necessary action to remedy the situation". On its part Infrastructure Mal- ta denied that the agency had changed plans to accommodate parking spaces along the new road, as some residents have re- ported being told. Faced with a brick wall, Malt- aToday has now filed a freedom of information request to both Infrastructure Malta and the Planning Authority requesting copies of the plans. It was MaltaToday, which a month ago reported that works are protruding into fields out- side the development zones in Ħaż-Żabbar, in an ongoing pro- ject Infrastructure Malta claims will divert traffic from the town centre. The works are resulting in the take-up of agricultural land along Triq Alessio Erardi and Triq Bieb is-Sultan, with res- idents complaining about the complete lack of consultation. The roadworks along a 500m stretch of roads, starting from Triq il-Bahrija through Triq Alessio Erardi and Triq Bieb is-Sultan in the direction of the Notre Dame Gate, protrude on the most scenic parts of the lo- cality. IM has confirmed with Malt- aToday that it is still discussing compensation with field owners, despite the commencement of the works. It is also insisting that no permit is required because the road was already schemed in the local plans. "In line with applicable legislation, no plan- ning permits are required for roads already schemed in the Local Plan." IM says that while the road- works protrude outside the de- velopment zone, it necessitates the take-up of strips of land next to the existing streets, which had been earmarked for the construction of the same streets for decades. No other widening will take place, IM told Malta- Today. IM also claims the soil exca- vated during these works will be used to improve conditions of adjacent fields, in agreement with the farmers who till them, "or else reserved for Infrastruc- ture Malta's upcoming affores- tation projects". IM's justification is that while providing increased connectivi- ty to residents, the road-widen- ing project will alleviate circula- tion difficulties in the centre of Żabbar, providing an alternative route to Sta Duminka Street, a very narrow street that serves as one of the few exits from this lo- cality. According to IM parts of Triq Bieb is-Sultan Street, and Triq Alessio Erardi Street do not even have footpaths. According to IM the works along Alessio Erardi street are part of a wider project in the locality which will include new underground networks, new street lightings, new footpaths, stronger carriageway founda- tions and new asphalt surfaces. 5 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 2 MAY 2021 NEWS We're Recruiting Join Our Team ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER Permit no. 208/2021 Eligibility Requirements 1.1. Minimum Level 4 standard of education & two (2) years' work experience; 1.2. Deals in a professional manner with both internal and external stakeholders, particularly customers. Job Description • Policy implementation under the management's direction; • Assist and support in the administration and management of the Unit; • Handle correspondence, cases and enquiries under the management's direction; • Engage with the public in answering customer queries and communicating the decisions adopted; • Perform accounting and procurement work (including salary computations and adjustments); • Co-ordinate junior clerical staff and clerical services; • Cross-check work performed by junior staff; • Supervise the updating of databases and the daily reconciliation exercise; • Gather information and share documents across the right channels; • Provide leadership to staff working in your team; • Ensure that staff understand and communicate the Agency's vision; • Ensure that the workload is dealt with appropriately and avoid backlogs; • Any other duties delegated by the CEO or his delegates. Interested persons are kindly requested to submit a letter of application and a detailed CV to recruitment@identitymalta.com by 16th May 2021. Plans for Zabbar roadworks kept under wraps A simple request for plans for ODZ roadworks in Żabbar expose lack of transparency as neither IM nor PA oblige