Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/850837
maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 19 JULY 2017 News 7 MIRIAM DALLI WHILST the chorus of disap- proval against the destruction of holm oak trees in Lija con- tinues to grow, the Ministry for Transport and Infrastructure has issued a statement to de- scribe how the road widening works will help alleviate traffic congestion. The trees were cut down to make way for an additional south-bound carriageway, aimed at easing the traffic flow – and traffic jams – in the area leading to the Lija roundabout and on to the Birkirkara bypass and Naxxar Road. The trees – some of them 100 years old – were summarily cut down, when there were other alternatives that would have re- sulted in the trees being saved, environmentalist Alfred Balda- cchino has told MaltaToday. According to Baldacchino the trees – and the 1.5m-wide strip they were on – also served to slow down the water that in- advertently accumulates in the area from Iklin, Mosta and Lija during heavy rainfall. In its statement, the minis- try however argued that some 2,400 vehicles pass through the road every hour and parts of it are not wide enough to support the traffic. The works, the ministry said, serve to create new lanes with one of them intended for mo- torists coming from Mosta and Naxxar to drive straight onto the Birkirkara bypass without stopping at the roundabout. The works are expected to im- prove access to and from Lija, Iklin and surrounding localities. The works are expected to be finalised in August. But on its part, in a statement issued hours later, the Environ- ment Ministry said the govern- ment was committed to ensur- ing that environmental aspects are given "due consideration" and ascertain that adequate measures are taken during the planning and implementation of important infrastructural projects. "Particularly, in the upgrad- ing of the Lija junction and road leading to it, alternative correc- tive measures are being taken by Transport Malta to plant fur- ther trees in the Lija/Iklin area, in view of the physical restric- tions brought by the addition of a new lane," José Herrera's min- istry said. It insisted that the uproot- ing of trees in Lija junction was in line with the parameters of Schedule II of the Trees and Woodlands (Protection) Regu- lations, 2011. "As outlined by ERA, The Trees and Woodlands (Protec- tion) Regulations, 2011 clearly state that Holm Oak trees (Quercus ilex) are specifically protected in sites outside the development zone (ODZ) and in protected areas, and also that any trees older than 50 years are protected in protected areas, ODZ and Urban Conservation Areas (UCA)," the ministry said. Herrera has come under fire from Baldacchino, who accused him of failing to deliver on a pledge to reinstate in law the protection of indigenous trees. On his part, Transport Min- ister Ian Borg reiterated that more road works will be an- nounced in the coming weeks and months to improve the is- land's arterial roads. "Every minute in traffic is a wasted minute for everyone. We are currently looking at every problematic area to identify so- lutions that reduce delays," the minister said. Borg added that he was press- ing the responsible authorities to search for viable solutions that can be implemented as soon as possible. Transport Malta stops Hamrun kiosk drive-in PA approves kiosk extension which is 12sq.m greater than allowed by policy THE Planning Authority has is- sued a permit for the redevelop- ment and extension of the exist- ing kiosk in Pjazza San Pawl in Hamrun. But the Planning Au- thority turned down a proposed "drive-in" carved in the public square. Transport Malta had originally expressed no objection to the parking bays for five cars pro- posed by the kiosk owner. But on 7 July, it submitted an objection to the proposed parking bay on grounds of public safety. In its latest memo TM insisted that the parking bays proposed in the square should not be ap- proved and the existing road alignment should be retained "as this location is not considered a safe location for parking bays, considering the existing junc- tion layout". TM also insisted that an existing zebra crossing should be retained at this loca- tion. But while turning down the proposed parking bays, the Plan- ning Authority accepted a kiosk extension which according to the case officer is in breach of a policy which limits kiosks to 20m2. The case officer had origi- nally proposed the approval of both the kiosk extension and the parking bays carved in the square. The case officer report confirmed that the proposal is 12 square metres in excess of the allowable floor space set by the policy regulating kiosk develop- ments. But in the first report this was considered "an adequate and al- lowable exception when consid- ering the area of the piazza, and also when considering similar developments". But on 22 June the Environ- ment Planning Commission chaired by architect Elizabeth Ellul had asked the architect to upload fresh drawings to limit the size of the kiosk to 20sq.m or to the existing size, and reduce the area of the tables to what was permitted on the same site. But on that occasion the EPC did not object to the proposed parking bays carved into the public gar- den. After the owner failed to pre- sent new plans downsizing the proposed kiosk the case officer issued a recommendation for refusal. The reason given was that the kiosk extension was in breach both of the policy regulating kiosks which limits kiosks to 20m2 and was also in breach of the Strategic Plan for the En- vironment and Development because "a larger space will be occupied by the proposed ki- osk (including outside tables and chairs), and will be used for commercial activity rather than as a public open space". But surprisingly the EPC, which had originally indicated that the extension was in breach of policy, had a change of mind arguing that the kiosk as ap- proved in 1997 was already larg- er than 20m2. The kiosk was originally re- built following a permit issued in 1997. The permit also al- lowed the owner to set tables around the kiosk itself. Architect Hector Zammit, who represented kiosk owner Alfred Cacciatolo argued that the kiosk extension was jus- tified due to its location in a large open space and by its lo- cation in a corner of the piazza opposite a number of com- mercial outlets including a shopping complex, other food outlets, a number of bars and a bank. "The new design of the kiosk makes the latter a landmark building in the said piazza". Moreover, according to Zam- mit although the kiosk design is a contemporary one, the design as well as the materials used blend well with the sur- roundings. The seating area will be re- located to a more central part of the piazza instead. Zammit defended this re-location. "In view of the new design of the kiosk, the seating area as approved cannot be accom- modated around the proposed kiosk. Moreover, the tables and chairs as proposed are concen- trated in one area and not scat- tered around the kiosk thus enhancing the visual amenity of the area", Zammit said. Zammit also highlighted the fact that no objections were made to the proposal by the Government Property Divi- sion and by the Hamrun local council. In fact the only objec- tion made to the project was made by PN councillors. Minister says Lija roadworks will reduce traffic congestion The holm oak trees were removed to expand the south-bound carriageway in Lija (Photo: Penny Rector)