Msida Creek Project Needs Further Improvements For Pedestrians And Cyclists, Activists Urge
Eleven local NGOs are calling for plans related to the Msida Creek Project to “return to the drawing board” due to a lack of prioritisation of alternative modes of transportation.
This comes after Infrastructure Malta presented revamped plans for the Msida Creek Flyover project last week, following public scrutiny.
Activists have now stated in a joint statement that the updated plans still contain “gaping deficiencies when it comes to the prioritisation of public and active (e.g. walking, cycling) modes of transport”.
While the plans were slightly improved, organisations and experts in the field are frustrated to see how this multi-million major project is yet again failing to cater to the social and functional character of Msida, beyond being a junction for cars.
“Msida Creek is first and foremost the social and cultural centre of the town of Msida, but also an important pedestrian intersection for the local community, members of the educational institutions in the vicinity, and users of the public transport network.”
They detailed how the current proposal lacks safe and efficient connections for anyone not inside a car between Msida and the University and the Skatepark, as well as between Msida and Birkirkara – a densely populated locality and the most popular commute destination.
Current plans also lack dedicated bus lanes and throw pedestrians and cyclists together in what will undoubtedly be congested paths, while also lacking specially designated bike lanes.
Transport Minister Aaron Farrugia has also just pledged a €35 million investment for a cycling network all over Malta.
“The model Infrastructure Malta is pushing has been shown to fail very quickly, as Marsa and Central Link remain congested areas of heavy traffic and road fatalities.”
“Projects such as these continue to undermine our physical and environmental health, and should not be the sink of national spending, unmatched by the poor political will and financial investment towards promoting public and active commuting.”
“We welcome the fact that Infrastructure Malta had been willing to revise the original plans to incorporate some of the public’s concerns, such as an aesthetic improvement over the first plans and the relocation of a pedestrian area in front of the church.”
“Therefore we expect that they will again consider further improvements to give the area the long-term vision it deserves.”
This press statement is endorsed by Moviment Graffitti, Friends of the Earth Malta, Din l-Art Ħelwa, The Archaeological Society Malta, Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar, Nature Trust – FEE Malta, BirdLife Malta, Rota, Extinction Rebellion Malta, ACT, and Ramblers Malta.
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