Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1540435
5 gozotoday | FRIDAY • 17 OCTOBER 2025 NEWS Passengers and vehicles to and from Mgarr to Cirkewwa CONTINUES FROM PAGE 1 The development had come following protests by residents and NGOs last summer over the growing presence of commer- cial establishments in the public square. The square has become an oblig- atory stop for day-trippers visiting the island for pastizzi, cakes, cof- fee and lunch. The masterplan designates three areas for chairs and tables on three sides of the square. The proposal foresees the erec- tion of "stainless steel flat bars" to define the "limits for tables and chairs." It also ensures an eight- metre-wide unencumbered area between the two main seating ar- eas. In June 2024, several Gozitan organisations, including the Arch- priest of the Basilica, the Soċjetà Filarmonika La Stella, and the Fondazzjoni Belt Victoria, joined forces with Moviment Graffitti in a demonstration against the encroachment of public space in the square. Canon Joseph Curmi, Archpriest of St George's Basilica, also complained that St George's Square had been completely tak- en over by tables, chairs, tents, and other structures belonging to commercial outlets, making it impossible for religious functions to take place. The Archpriest had said attempts at dialogue with the responsible authorities – in- cluding the Lands Authority, the Malta Tourism Authority, and the Planning Authority – led no- where, as the authorities refused to shoulder their responsibility, and enforcement was practically non-existent. After the protest, several entities descended on the square to enforce existing con- ditions with the Gozo Ministry promising a masterplan would be drawn up for the area. Pjazza San Gorg master plan moves forward Dozens of Rabat residents protested the overcrowding of the St George pjazza in 2024 due to excessive tables and chairs set out by local establishments The masterplan designates three areas for chairs and tables on three sides of the square Over 2 million people travelled between Malta and Gozo from July to September A total of 2,089,047 passengers travelled between Malta and Gozo between July and Septem- ber 2025, according to figures published by the National Statis- tics Office (NSO). August was the busiest month, with 4,099 trips, representing 34% of total trips for the quarter. Overall, 12,064 trips were carried out during the period. Sea transport between Mgarr and Cirkewwa Of the 2,089,047 passengers trav- elling between Malta and Gozo in the third quarter, 1,711,511 used the Mġarr–Ċirkewwa route, a 3.3% increase compared to the same period in 2024. August recorded the high- est number of passengers, with 603,080 travellers. Vehicle traffic also rose by 2%, totaling 600,695 vehicles. The number of trips on the route reached 9,238 in the quar- ter, a marginal 0.1% increase over 2024. August accounted for 3,118 of these trips, representing 33.8% of the total. Traffic patterns from January to September 2025 showed that vehicle flow from the Mġarr ter- minal peaked on Sundays and Mondays, while passenger num- bers were highest on Sundays and Saturdays. At Ċirkewwa, vehicle traffic was heaviest on Fridays and Saturdays, with passenger traffic busiest on Saturdays and Fridays.