Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1540549
12 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 19 OCTOBER 2025 NEWS JAMES DEBONO jdebono@mediatoday.com.mt Tixtieq tesplora? Feel like exploring? Learn more New roundabout proposed in Valley Road A new roundabout is being pro- posed on the exit (off-ramp) lead- ing to the Santa Venera rounda- bout in Valley Road, Msida. The proposal, aimed at improv- ing both road capacity and safety, is expected to take up to 357sq.m of existing agricultural land and landscaped areas in the undevel- oped space flanked by two large reservoirs on either side of Valley Road. None of the oak trees in a neigh- bouring tree protection area will be affected, but trees and shrubs in the existing landscaped areas will be impacted. Although linked to the Msida Creek Project, the proposal was submitted as a separate appli- cation, which is now being rec- ommended for approval by the Planning Authority's directorate. A final decision by the Planning Board is due on 30 October. The application was originally intended to be approved before that of the Msida Creek Project due to the 'urgency' of the works, but it is now being processed sep- arately. According to documents sub- mitted by Infrastructure Malta, the new roundabout junction is intended "to address, improve, regularise, and channelise the traffic movements" occurring at this junction. It is also expected to improve safety by addressing limited for- ward visibility issues and acting as a traffic-calming measure, as vehicles will need to reduce their approach speed at the rounda- bout deflection. Currently, there is no specific junction design, and according to Infrastructure Malta, this poses an increased accident risk in the area. The boundary walls facing the agricultural area will be construct- ed as traditional rubble walls, and all measures will be taken to avoid overspill onto the surrounding ag- ricultural land. Plans also foresee an upgraded stormwater system. Separately, an application for a football pitch, spectator area, and cafeteria instead of the res- ervoir by the FKNK office is still pending. The application was rec- ommended for refusal by a case officer in May for breaching pol- icies protecting reservoirs in the area, but no decision has yet been taken. The controversial applica- tion, which was objected to by the Environment and Resources Au- thority, was presented by Sports Malta.