Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1537233
WHILST walking or driving through any locality in Malta, have you noticed how street surfaces often resemble a check- erboard of patches? The tarmac is rarely uniform. You'll frequently see streaks of deep black alongside sun-bleached grey, with dull spots interrupting smoother sections. I call them the shades of black. Although this may seem like a trivial visual inconsistency, these shades are symptomatic of a deeper, systemic issue involving a lack of coordination, missing long-term planning, and a blurred na- tional vision. Each shade, each patch, tells a story. One might result from a water pipe repair, an- other from a power trench, a third from resurfacing after new construction, and yet another for different utility works. Rarely are these interventions carried out simultaneously. Instead, they unfold in an endless cycle: dig, patch, dig again— sometimes within the same period. This is not just a matter of inefficiency; it's a symptom of a country that reacts rather than plans. Across Malta, roads are resurfaced only to be dug up again mere months later for utility works, leaving behind disruptive, mismatched patches. Newly laid tarmac often begins to crumble prematurely due to rushed or poorly coordinated interventions or be- cause the foundations underneath were never properly addressed. Residents frequently endure piecemeal digging and repatching by various con- tractors, often without any visible sign of coordination. A common complaint I hear is that roads are never truly fin- ished—they're resurfaced in segments, left incomplete, and then reopened for further work. This results in roads that age unevenly, drain poorly, and deterio- rate faster than they should. This isn't just about aesthetics; it direct- ly affects quality, durability, and safety. These outcomes stem from a planning system that has lost its way. In parlia- ment, I've repeatedly raised the fact that Malta suffers from a lack of a unified in- frastructure strategy. We do not have a centralised road intervention registry. We lack an effective trenching coordina- tion framework. We are missing a long- term vision for our roads, pavements, and public spaces. And it shows. Even the tarmac composition varies from patch to patch, reflecting inconsist- ent standards. In some areas, high-quality asphalt is used, capable of withstanding weather and wear. In others, it crumbles within months—evidence of substandard materials or rushed workmanship. This inconsistency speaks volumes about the absence of central oversight and a coher- ent national direction. This situation goes far beyond incon- venience. It represents a wasteful and costly misuse of public funds, and it is deeply unfair to residents who deserve clean, safe, and durable infrastructure. Road resurfacing should come with the assurance that no further excavations are imminent. All public works must be coordinated across utility providers, un- derpinned by clear standards, defined timelines, and a firm commitment to long-term quality. This requires strategic vision and holis- tic planning, not merely the allocation of budgets. So much for the promises made eight years ago by the Labour government. The Labour Party's 2017 manifesto pledged to relocate all overhead cables underground as part of a comprehen- sive road and infrastructure regeneration plan. Four years later, they admitted the initiative had "proved very difficult." Labour boasts of spending €700 million on roads over seven years, yet fails to mention that many of those same roads have had to be dug up again. Meanwhile, the commitment to remove cables and light poles from building facades has long since been abandoned. Will this broken promise be recycled in the next Labour manifesto? Shades of black is more than just a met- aphor. It reflects the state of our plan- ning regime— disjointed, inconsistent, uncoordinated. We must stop paving over problems and start addressing them at the root. We need integrated GIS-based systems, cross-agency planning protocols, and a legal obligation to synchronise trenching works. And above all, we need the polit- ical will—real leadership—to insist on quality, efficiency, and long-term think- ing. As for the trenches that no one seems in a hurry to close—open trenches have outlasted government commitments and entire planning cycles, standing as silent monuments to inefficiency. The time for patchwork governance is over. Malta needs a vision that plans for generations, not just for tomorrow's press release. Chris Bonett Minister for transport, infrastructure and public works Shades of black 7 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 6 JULY 2025 OPINION Stanley Zammit MP and PN spokesperson for planning and lands Maritime transport: A granular solution WHEN the Labour government re-en- tered office in 2022, a deep re-exami- nation across all sectors was undertak- en. This did not come from a vacuum; it was the impetus behind the party's ambitious 2022 electoral campaign manifesto. In this regard, transport and infrastructure were no exception. Am- bitious plans and consultation process- es in government are crucial in shaping future action. However, it is implemen- tation and enforcement that test the mettle. In government, quick-fixes are never an option. A restart during a five- year legislature is also not feasible. In- stead, more favourable outcomes can be reached after a granular recalibration of what has already been done and what is at our fingertips. If Occam's Razor were to be used in this context, it would show us that we do not need to think outside the box when a workable solution is right in front of us. From my first month in office as minister, I have consistently held that one of our best, if not our most under- rated, commodity is the sea around us. As an island, we are happy to accommo- date yachts and cruises for leisure and holidays. Indeed, various means of sea transport already exist for essential ser- vices between islands and for tourism. But when it comes to making sea trans- port the obvious choice for commuters, how can we elevate its use? This was the question we sought to answer over the last few months. The fast ferry service is testament to our vision's unprecedented success. In- deed, Transport Malta's data provides a promising insight, with over 440,000 Tallinja public transport cardholders using the Valletta-Sliema-Cottonera route. Considering this, we are adding an additional route to the fast-ferry ser- vice which will cover Sliema, Buġibba and Mġarr in Gozo for cardholders and ticket purchasers alike. To prepare for this, we have recently inaugurated a new breakwater in Buġib- ba with a dual purpose: First, the break- water will serve as an accessible point for commuters to access the ferry and second; we recognise that Buġibba is an essential spot for fisherman to dock their boats and vessels. We are not ig- norant to the damage adverse weather conditions cause to fisher boats dur- ing the winter months, consequently impacting the livelihood of many. Past events such as Storm Helios have shown us that we must not wait for the calm after the storm to act. Rather, mitigat- ing solutions must be devised well in ad- vance to anticipate impending challeng- es. That is exactly what we are doing. A continued focus on improving our sea transport would also go hand in hand with improving land transport. With continuous investment going in- to both means of transport, the Mal- tese public will not only have a choice based on quality and efficiency but also be incentivised and empowered to make choices that complement their daily commute and lives. A continued focus on improving our sea transport would also go hand in hand with improving land transport. Gozo Fast Ferry