WATCH: Ian Borg On Central Link: ‘Vast Majority Of Malta In Favour And Can’t Wait Years For Metro’
Transport Minster Ian Borg has stood by the Central Link project, arguing that commuters cannot afford to keep getting stuck in traffic until a metro is finally built.
“I think all youths, myself included, would have liked our predecessors to have developed a mass transport system but no one thought of it back then,” Borg told the press this morning. “While we’re studying such a system, it will take around 20-25 years to complete and the people stuck in traffic in Attard cannot wait that long.”
Around a thousand people gathered in Attard yesterday to protest against the Central Link project, which will involve the destruction of hundreds of trees.
However, Borg reiterated his stance that the project is actually “pro-environment” as it will involve the planting of new trees and the reduction of traffic, which will in turn lead to less air pollution.
Moreover, he said the majority of the Maltese public support the project, citing a survey conducted by Infrastructure Malta which indicated that 85% of people are in favour.
“I believe the majority of the protestors yesterday were genuine and I respect them, but there are also tens of thousands who are in favour of the project,” Borg said.
To back up his argument of a silent majority, Borg noted how the Labour Party had increased its minority at the Attard local council during last May’s elections from two to three councillors.
“The PL had promised that its Attard councillors would support the government on the Central Link project, while PN and Alternattiva Demokratika had opposed it,” he said.
“When Attard residents voted, they added a PL councillor and removed AD’s only councillor on the island. Does this mean anything? It’s part of the full picture, and the people will ultimately decide, but rest assured that there are tens of thousands of people who support the project.”
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