Santa Luċija Resident Appeals To Save Jogging Track: ‘People Come From Afar To Refresh Body And Mind’
Aggrieved by the planned dismantling of a jogging track in Santa Luċija, a resident has launched a citizens’ network in a last-ditch attempt to alter the plans of an underground tunnels project in Tal-Barrani.
Catherine Polidano urged Infrastructure Malta to change the location of the start of the tunnels so as not to destroy a large chunk of the woodland surrounding the jogging track.
“The Network acknowledges that traffic jams require solutions and it supports sustainable efforts to reduce traffic in the south of Malta,” she said. “However, as presently envisaged, the Tal-Barrani Underpass would destroy at least 3,500 square metres of irreplaceable public woodland surrounding the Santa Lucija jogging track.”
“No amount of tree planting would bring back this public open space and the mature trees lost.”
A visual representation of the Santa Luċija tunnels project
While Infrastructure Malta has pledged to redesign the jogging track, Polidano warned that it will be crammed into a much smaller area than it occupies presently.
“Technically this is possible, but taking away a large portion of this already tiny woodland would erode many of the benefits that it has bestowed up to now,” she said.
“The Santa Lucija Jogging Track Woodland was nurtured by successive governments so as to deliver critical health, environmental and social benefits. These are enjoyed not only by the residents of Sta Lucija, Tarxien and Paola, but by the Maltese population at large.”
“People from nearby and afar, come to this woodland. And not only to jog. They come to sit or walk surrounded by secluded green space to refresh body and mind.”
“They come with children and peers to lighten spirits and strengthen social bonds. In today’s stressful way of life, common citizens, especially those who do not own a garden, vitally rely on the tranquillity that such a public green area can provide for free.”
“As part of Santa Lucija’s green belt, this woodland is not surplus land waiting to be used. This woodland was speciifically created to give beauty to the place and as a green lung for present and future generations. This anti-pollution shield traps significant amounts of poisonous vehicle emissions, and takes up much of the carbon dioxide released by heavy traffic in the surrounding arterial roads.”
“These effects benefit all of Malta not just neighbouring towns – as vehicle emission particulates tend to be very light and so carried by the wind all over Malta.”
“Taking the trees away from this woodland and replanting them in other places will not do this frontline job. There will be many less trees and much less open soil to absorb the vehicle pollutants right at the pollution source. Our asthma rates will rise further and asthma attacks become more frequent and severe if we reduce this woodland.”
Catherine Polidano addresses protestors back in 2004. Photo: Times of Malta
In a dig at Transport Minister Ian Borg’s slogan, Polidano added that what the people appreciate most in politicians is not merely getting things done, but getting things done right – by the people.
Polidano has a history in environmental activism, having spearheaded a long campaign against the development of a waste sorting plant in Wied Ta’ Garnaw, which lies between Santa Luċija, Gudja and Għaxaq.
Environment Minister Jose Herrera later proposed the valley as a site of public domain, meaning no development can take place there.
READ NEXT: Opposition Leader Proposes Planting Three Trees For Every Person In Malta
