One local council has stepped in to submit alternative plans for a controversial Mrieħel flyover that would not eat up any agricultural land in the area.

A report by the Times of Malta unveiled Qormi Local Council’s proposal after Transport Minister Ian Borg said that he would consider alternatives for the current proposal.

The local council’s plans, which were drawn up by architectural firm DAAA Haus, envisages an underpass for the area, which would not include expropriating any land in the area.

Plans include four-lane underpass for road users, which will also include a fifth to cater for emergencies. The designs also envisage two lines on the ground level to ensure direct access to the Mrieħel Central Business District.

The council is yet to receive a reply from the Ministry on the proposal.

Government’s current plans for the area include a flyover linking Qormi to Mrieħel, which will take 20 tumoli of arable land from farmers and destroy one of Qormi’s last green lungs.

It will also engulf the new pedestrian footbridge connecting Mrieħel and Qormi and possibly affect a historical watchtower dating back 500 years.

Farmers and residents have protested over the proposed development. The plans were only revealed to the public during the protest, with farmer Carmel Bonello sharing plans which showed a new road linking to Mrieħel bypass.

Several politicians, including former Prime Minister and current MEP Alfred Sant and former President Marie Louise Coleiro Preca, have criticised the government’s project.

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