Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1515910
NEWS 12 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 7 FEBRUARY 2024 ENVIRONMENTAL NGO Friends of the Earth Malta has condemned plans for a new road that will pass through agricul- tural land, linking Zabbar to Smart City. The proposed road is set to take up a massive 80,000 sq.m area of land, from Notre Dame Gate in Zabbar, along the Cot- tonera Lines, passing by the Capuchin Convent in Kalkara, on to Smart City. As shown on the Google map on the right, the location of the proposed road is that of a quiet road and pathway lined by pine and carob trees and agricultur- al fields, along the walls of the Cottonera lines. "It is incredulous that in a time of simultaneous climate and biodiversity crises, while farmers are protesting about the loss of agricultural land and food security remains a nation- al challenge, such proposals get to see the daylight," said FOE's Climate Campaign Coordina- tor, Dr Suzanne Maas. Maas, who did her PhD re- search on the topic of sustain- able mobility, criticised the proposal. "This proposed road would take up precious agri- cultural land and open spaces along the historic fortifica- tions, while inducing further private car demand, increasing traffic in the area around Zab- bar and Fgura, contributing to even more air and noise pollu- tion, and higher carbon emis- sions from transport." Maas said the site of the pro- posed road should be enhanced as an open space and active mobility route, connecting the newly upgraded Park ta' San Klement and Vjal Kottoner with its new pavement and cy- cle lane on one side, and Kalka- ra and Smart City on the other. "A cycle lane could be added along the wide roads that al- ready exist: Triq Santa Libera- ta, which passes by the convent in Kalkara, and Triq il-Missjoni Taljana towards Smart City. "Rather than making the same old mistakes again, this should be an opportunity to start do- ing things differently. To plan for sustainable mobility con- nections instead of inviting and creating more traffic. To pre- serve and restore scenic path- ways along our natural and cultural heritage, for people to enjoy in peace and health." Road connections to Smart City already exist, Maas said, saying enhanced connectivity to Smart City should focus on promoting public and active transport. "Greenwashing the proposed new road by including a cycle lane in the design is adding in- sult to injury, as the area today is a quiet road where people can safely walk, cycle and enjoy the open space," she said. Friends of the Earth Malta said it is proposing a list of solu- tions that can increase connec- tivity between Smart City and Malta's main urban areas and the airport, instead of building yet another new road. One of them is a a shuttle service between the ferry land- ing site in Bormla and Smart City, which was just upgraded and is just five minutes away from Smart City. FOE said this multimodal ferry landing site, already funded by the Trans- port Malta project 'SMITHs' (Sustainable Multi-Intermod- New road to Smart City 'a stupid proposal' Proposed road will take up massive 80,000sq.m area of land from Notre Dame Gate in Zabbar, along the Cottonera Lines, passing by the Capuchin Convent in Kalkara, on to Smart City FOE: The wide road Triq Santa Liberata, which could easily accommodate a cycle lane and pavement to promote safe active transport