Threats Of A Tunnel: Gozo-Malta Link Could Destroy This Beautiful, Peaceful Area
Photos: Alternattiva Demokratika
A green and peaceful patch of countryside on the outskirts of Nadur could soon be bustling with traffic to and from Malta once an underground tunnel linking the two tunnels is completed.
With the Gozo-Malta tunnel starting to look less like a pipe dream and more like something that could actually happen, the small party Alternattiva Demokratika has launched a campaign against it.
The campaign, entitled ‘Il-Mina Hija r-Rovina’ (the tunnel means ruin), features videos from Ta’ Kenuna, an area on the outskirts of Nadur that has been earmarked as the Gozo entry point of the proposed tunnel.
“This area will be destroyed, not only by the entry point but also as a result of the road widening which will take place over extensive parts of farmland so that the streets will be able to take on the generated traffic flow,” AD leader Carmel Cacopardo said.
“The proposed tunnel isn’t necessary as there are other solutions, such as a fast ferry service, to facilitate movement between Malta and Gozo. Not only will this cost less on a financial level but will reduce environmental and social costs too. The tunnel will facilitate the movement of cars when we should actually be facilitating the movement of people.”
Politicians from both PL and PN have long been calling for a permanent link between Malta and Gozo but the government has now taken the first steps into turning this dream into a reality, with Infrastructure Minister Ian Borg confirming that an international expression of interest for the tunnel’s construction will be issued by June.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat has suggested that construction waste generated by the project could be used for a separate land reclamation project.
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