Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1506906
5 NEWS maltatoday | SUNDAY • 3 SEPTEMBER 2023 Environment Protection Act, 2016 Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations (S.L. 549.46) NOTICE OF SUBMISSION OF ADDENDUM TO ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT REPORT Amendments to PA 1191/05 including: increase in number of apartments from 159 to 234; reconfiguration of parking levels to increase number of parking spaces from 600+ to 850+; introduction of a green parking area for alternative mode of transport including cycling, scooters, and taxis; removal of vehicular access to the car park from Hughes Hallet street level; introduction of hotel (Class 3B) to also serve apartments (Class 1); addition of amenities level within double height level in tower; removal of the Pavilion building; introduction of office levels within double height areas in lower buildings; internal reconfiguration of office and retail areas; change of use of some Class 4C outlets to Class 4D. Townsquare, Tower Road, Hughes Hallet Street, Tigne Street, Qui-Si-Sana Lane, ix-Xatt ta' Qui-Si- Sana, Sliema. PA 01398/23 (GF 00150/06) Notice is hereby being given that an Addendum to the EIA Report has been submitted to the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) in connection with the above-mentioned application. Digital copies of the Addendum are available on the ERA website: https://era.org.mt/era- project/pa01191-05/ Digital copies of the same document are also available at the Sliema Local Council and the ERA offices in Marsa for public inspection. Anyone who wishes to make any submissions on environmental matters should write to the Director of Environment and Resources, Environment and Resources Authority, Hexagon House, Spencer Hill, Marsa MRS 1441, or send an email to eia.malta@era.org.mt, by the 3 rd October 2023. Date: 3 rd September 2023 Disclaimer: The Authority is committed to protect the personal data and privacy of the public in general. You are being informed that when making submissions, your personal data will not be disclosed or published unless within twelve (12) hours you give consent to the Authority to disclose your personal data. Provided that the Authority may disclose your personal data in those cases where it is required to do so, in order to comply with the applicable Laws. MATTHEW FARRUGIA CONTRACTORS have pointed an accusing finger at the lack of coordination between govern- ment entities for delays in road- works that are leaving residents and shopkeepers fuming. Malta Developers Association President Michael Stivala said contractors involved in roadworks were hampered by inefficient decision-making processes by government entities. "It is a deci- sion-making nightmare," he told MaltaToday. Residents and shopowners in various localities where roads are being made up have complained over what appear to be delays in the completion of works. In some instances, residents have reported days and weeks going by without seeing any work being carried out. "When you undertake infrastructural projects like these, there are bound to be prob- lems, but if there's no efficient process to make decisions to tackle the problems, there are bound to be delays," Stivala said. The MDA chief said that another pressing issue for contractors involves payments that are sub- ject to "months-long de- lays". This creates cash flow problems. Stivala said contrac- tors and government agencies alike faced problems with regards to staff shortages. Surveyors and archi- tects, were among the workers in short supply, Stivala said, adding this creates other problems for the industry. Road works' impact on businesses While prolonged road closures are a daily nuisance for commut- ers and residents, businesses in the vicinity of road works suffer finan- cially from loss of customers. Last week, Mosta restaurant Ta' Marija filed a judicial protest against the Mosta local Council, Infrastructure Malta, Transport Malta, Carmel Vella Ltd and the Malta Tourism Authority, citing incompetence in the design and execution of road works. The owners of the restaurant claim that the business is losing between €3,000 and €5,000 a week because of this. Ta' Marija is one of numerous businesses situated along Consti- tution Street in Mosta, which has been undergoing roadworks for months. The issue caught the at- tention of the Chamber of SMEs, that discussed the inconveniences with a number of business owners in the area. Chamber of SMEs Director General Ab- igail Mamo told Mal- taToday that even though works along Constitution Street have not exceeded the stipulated time period, "authorities must take the needs of businesses into con- sideration before works begin." Mamo stated that disruptions during road works are normal, however, Malta lags be- hind when it comes to standards on how the job should be execut- ed. "This is why the Chamber of SMEs had welcomed Transport Malta's efforts to establish a set of basic standards, including making the stipulated time of road work completion public," she said. Among the changes, Mamo al- so welcomed the blacklisting of low-quality contractors, but in- sisted that such a basic standard should have been in place ages ago. Meanwhile, Mamo also told this newspaper that prolonged infra- structural works on the Kalkara seafront have also been causing headaches for nearby businesses, and the Chamber of SMEs will be stepping in to hear their concerns. 'There is always room for im- provement' - Roads agency chief Infrastructure Malta CEO Ivan Falzon said "the majority" of road- works are completed within the "stipulated time period and with- in budget". Falzon said when works are scheduled, Infrastructure Malta informs effected businesses that in turn have cooperated with the agency. But he did acknowledge that government agencies had to do more to coordinate works bet- ter. "There is always room for improvement when it comes to communication," Falzon said. Delayed roadworks: 'A decision-making nightmare' Contractors claim lack of synergy between government entities is hampering roadworks Diners at a restaurant in Kalkara flanked by a mechanical trencher as major roadworks in the village's main square continue. Photo: James Bianchi Top: Abigail Mamo, Chamber of SMEs Above: Michael Stivala, Malta Developers Association