Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/345566
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 13 JULY 2014 10 News WHILE the Gozo bridge seems destined for a slow vanishing act, the building of a breakwater between Sliema and Valletta has become a likelier prospect. Plans for a breakwater in Mar- samxett coincide with plans for land reclamation and super yacht facili- ties at the Sliema ferries. A memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed between China and Malta refers to cooperation in infra- structural and transport projects, in- cluding that of a breakwater in Mar- samxett and the Gozo bridge. The government claims that pre- liminary studies conducted by China Communications and Construc- tion Limited have shown the Gozo bridge to be "technically feasible" but in an indication that the govern- ment might be having doubts on the project the Prime Minister has called for studies on the bridge's environ- mental impact, a decision which is reminiscent of Lawrence Gonzi's de- cision to abort the Xaghra l-Hamra golf course in an attempt to quell mounting criticism over the 2006 extension of building boundaries. The apparent change of tone on the Gozo bridge was noticed by her- itage society Din l-Art Helwa. "We are sincerely pleased to hear the Prime Minister mention his con- cerns for the environment, perhaps for the first time ever during his term of office," society president Simone Mizzi told MaltaToday. She augured that studies on the environmental impact of a bridge to Gozo will be made available to the public as is required and that they "do not spell the killing of the proverbial golden egg for the sister island". But as plans for a bridge across the Gozo channel have been sent back to the Chinese drawing boards, at- tention has now shifted to another elusive project, which dates back to the 1960s. On PBS the Prime Minister himself linked the development of a break- water joining Valletta and Sliema as a way to facilitate the development of yacht marinas and other facilities meant to "upgrade" the environment in Sliema. The PM's insistence on the need of a breakwater coincides with land reclamation plans for the ferries, re- vealed by MaltaToday in April. MaltaToday is reliably informed that the Sliema ferries is one of the areas being considered for land rec- lamation. The project earmarks the outer part of Sliema's creek for a land reclama- tion project and the development of a superyacht hub which could see up to 100-metre yachts enjoying the breathtaking harbour views. The project, modelled on similar projects as in San Tropez and Du- bai, will create more space for com- mercial outlets, parking facilities and embellishment features but will drastically change the social fabric of the Sliema Strand, frequented by pedestrians who presently can walk and jog along the seashore, enjoying the unobstructed view of Manoel Island and Valletta in an unbroken walk from St Julian's Bay right into Gzira. In an indication of a push for de- velopment in this area, Gzira and the Tigne peninsula have also been iden- tified as sites for high rise develop- ment in the new policy on building heights. Selling the last views to Valletta? Din l-Art Helwa is not opposed to the development of yacht marinas in already established harbours but is sceptical of engineering works aimed at changing the coastline. With the bridge between Malta and Gozo put on the back burner as it awaits further 'environmental' studies, JAMES DEBONO talks to stakeholders on the looming prospect of a breakwater between Sliema and Valletta Chinese landscapes: From bridge to breakwater? "This will narrow the picturesque contours of the entrance to Sliema creek, in order to sell off the few remaining views of Valletta from the Sliema side to super yachts. We have done enough of that already" - Simone Mizzi Simone Mizzi of Din l-Art Helwa augured that studies on the environmental impact of a bridge to Gozo will be made available to the public