Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1536441
JAMES DEBONO jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt 15 NEWS maltatoday | SUNDAY • 15 JUNE 2025 TM ROADS: PLANNING BETTER, DIGITALLY By Kurt Farrugia CEO Transport Malta Commuters in Malta know the frus- tration of unexpected roadworks. Whether it's a closed road on the way to work or traffic piling up due to a one-lane closure, there's no shame in admitting that the incon- venience is real. With limited road space in our country, this challenge will always be part of our reality. Notwithstanding these challenges, it would have been wrong to sim- ply recognise the problem and stop there. That's why we launched TM Roads, a new digital platform designed to bring real change in how roadworks are planned, executed and commu- nicated across Malta. Our mission is rooted in better coordination, less inconvenience and greater trans- parency. With TM Roads, we are building a unified system where contractors, utility service providers and local councils can plan and view works in real time. The end goal is few- er clashes between projects and greater efficiency in scheduling works. The platform is not only tailor-made for stakeholders. Importantly, the public will also benefit. Individuals will be able to register for alerts about works happening near their home or workplace. With this feature, we aim to give everyone the chance to plan their journeys ahead and avoid unex- pected surprises when commuting. This new streamlined process will cut red tape and improve efficien- cy. Previously, a contractor had to send multiple emails to various government departments just to get started. Now, through this digital platform everything will be managed in one place. This centralised digital system al- so marks a major step forward in transparency. The platform has been designed to allow the Author- ity to maintain a full audit trail of all roadwork applications. It will also flag works proposed near sensitive areas, such as schools or clinics to help us plan more effectively when issuing permits. The platform will be rolled out in phases. Following stakeholder training, TM Roads will first be de- ployed internally across national agencies, before expanding to in- clude private contractors and full integration with local councils. TM Roads is the true definition of using technology for the right rea- sons. Better planning leads to a bet- ter quality of life. The Authority will now have real-time enforcement capabilities, improved regulatory oversight and the ability to provide valuable information to the public as it happens. TM Roads is Malta's digital commit- ment to better public service and a more resilient transport future. THIS IS A PAID COLLABORATION PA approves 'store' with a view overlooking San Blas Bay THE Planning Authority has approved an 'agricultural' store overlooking San Blas Bay and the surrounding Nadur countryside, replacing a roofless structure in a protected area. Official aerial photographs con- firm that the structure was already roofless by 1978, although it had a roof in 1957. In doing so, the Planning Com- mission overturned a clear rec- ommendation by the case officer to reject the application due to the site's sensitive location and pro- tected status. The development was approved under the 2014 rural policy, which permits the reconstruction of countryside buildings dating back to before 1978, provided the new structure is limited to the original footprint. This policy, unlike the one gov- erning the erection of new stores, does not require applicants to be in possession of a specific amount of agricultural land—although in this case, the Agricultural Di- rectorate confirmed that the ap- plicant, Nathaniel Grima, is a registered farmer who owns four parcels of land covering 2.2 tumoli (2,541.06sq.m) in Nadur. According to the rural policy, Grima would only have been enti- tled to build a brand-new 30sq.m store if he possessed 10 tumoli (11,288sq.m) of land. Howev- er, this provision does not apply when an applicant seeks to rebuild an existing structure, such as the one overlooking San Blas, as long as the original footprint is respect- ed. The project's architect is Alex Bigeni, one of Gozo's most prom- inent architects, known for his work on ODZ applications. Case officer's verdict overturned By approving the development, the Planning Commission ignored the advice of the case officer, who recommended refusal, citing the site's designation as an Area of Ecological Importance and an Area of High Landscape Value. The officer warned that "such a location would render a large structure visually intrusive on the surrounding landscape." He also pointed out that no similar com- mitments exist in the surrounding sloping landscape and cited two comparable applications within 175 metres that had previously been refused. One of these, for the construc- tion of a completely new store, was rejected in 2022 due to the landscape's sensitivity, including cliffs and boulder screes. The case officer also cautioned that approving the development could lead to pressure for further development and have negative impacts on the surroundings. He concluded that the proposal was in breach of various planning poli- cies protecting rural areas. However, the Planning Com- mission, chaired by Martin Camilleri, decided to override the negative recommendation, noting that neither the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) nor the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage (SCH) had objected. The Commission also pointed out that the project involved reconstruct- ing a pre-1978 agricultural store rather than erecting a completely new building. The ERA initially objected to the inclusion of a basement and the proposed trimming of an existing boulder, but later issued clear- ance after these elements were removed from the plans. The SCH acknowledged that the development was being proposed in a "well-preserved cultural and natural landscape" but did not raise objections