Ferries car park should be devolved to Sliema Local Council

In the upcoming Sliema Local Council meeting on 27 October, I will be proposing that the Council formally asks the Government to devolve the car park at the Strand to the council.

The main reasons for the proposal are the following:

1. The car park is an unregulated site on public land. Revenue should be used for public purposes such as road and pavement infrastructure by the Sliema Local Council, thus replacing the current practice of private donations.

2. The car park is a shabby eyesore in the centre of a prime commercial, tourist and leisure centre. Sliema, it residents and its visitors deserve a more aesthetically pleasing and better managed site.

Amber Traffic Lights: Sliema and Gzira Councils meet Traffic Management Committee

Following the controversy regarding pedestrians' safety along the Sliema-Gzira Strand, a meeting was held between the respective local councils and Government's Traffic Management Committee chaired by Minister Joe Mizzi.

The Ministry committed itself to ensure that all lighting is fully-functioning and will soon be deciding on three-colour traffic lights in the evening, following compilation of evidence.

The Local Councils were represented by Mayor Anthony Chircop, Mayor Conrad Borg Manché and myself, whilst the Traffic Committee comprised  Minister Mizzi, Transport Malta CEO James Piscopo as well as other committee members including experts and various stakeholders.

In the meantime, in view of the ongoing works at Kappara, the bus lane across the Strand has been suspended.

Danger at the Strand: When will Transport Malta take action to stop this?

Michael Briguglio
- Appears in Malta Today as 'The Sliema Strand has become a cowboy's paradise'-

Yet another terrible accident at the Sliema/Gzira Strand has taken place. 

A 50-year old woman has been run over by a car and is in critical condition. Just a few weeks ago a 26-year old man died after being run over by another car on the same road. 

Such accidents have their own individual merits, and I will not go into this. 

But I want to remind everyone that Transport Malta recently decided to keep traffic lights permanently flashing on amber. The Strand is now a dangerous free-for-all devoid of responsible traffic management.

The official reason for this, and I am quoting  correspondence during this Summer between TM officials and myself as Sliema Local Councillor, was that "The pedestrian crossings along The Strand where switched to flashing amber by order of the Roads Department due to the works at Kappara junction. This was done in order to relieve traffic . At the moment we are looking into the option of activating the crossings in the evenings, to at least be able to provide a safe crossing during that time". 

As everyone knows, this was not followed up by TM. So don't hold your breath to wait till the traffic lights are turned to their normal function so as to safeguard pedestrians and cyclists' safety.

TM are also aware of the dangerous situation on the bus lane at the Strand, where cowboys frequently zigzag and accelerate into it at all times of the day so as to avoid traffic. Again, I have been raising this issue with Transport Malta and the press for quite some time, yet TM stubbornly refuses to take action. 

Like many other Sliema residents, I pass from this road every day, and I have never seen wardens or TM officials stop drivers irregularly using the bus lane. Many moons after the authorities were asked by Sliema Local Council on how many tickets were given on this matter in preceding months, we finally received a reply. The grand total number of tickets given was 12. Yes, 12. 

Anyone who frequents the strand that 12 cars abuse the bus lane every five minutes. 

TM's crass irresponsibility has rendered the Strand to a highway of permanent danger.  And let us keep in mind that the Strand is full of other irregularities: ticketing booths, tables and chairs irregularly occupying walking space. Vendors permanently usurping parking spaces. A public car park characterized by private revenue for parkers. 

In short, the Strand is a cowboy's paradise. 

Who will take political responsibility for this?

‘4,000 extra cars won’t aggravate traffic problems’, Townsquare developers claim

3rd August Deadline for Objections re. 38 storey highrise in Sliema - go to bottom of this blogpost for further details.


Environment Impact Studies commissioned by the developers of the Townsquare project in Tigné, Sliema estimate that the project will increase daily traffic peak flows in the Qui-Si-Sana area from the present 24,444 to 28,874 vehicles.


JAMES DEBONO quizzes developer Michael Soler and architect Martin Xuereb on the 38-storey tower proposed in the heart of Sliema
http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/national/55283/4000_extra_cars_wont_aggravate_traffic_problems_townsquare_developers_claim#.Va4lL14w92Y
Malta Today, 21 July 2015



Environment Impact Studies commissioned by the developers of the Townsquare project in Tigné, Sliema estimate that the project will increase daily traffic peak flows in the Qui-Si-Sana area from the present 24,444 to 28,874 vehicles.

Yet the developers of the ambitious 38-storey tower – just metres away from a 40-storey tower hotel being proposed by Gap Developments – insist that an additional 4,430 vehicles will not aggravate problems because the project will also include a car park catering for 800 cars.

So will not the car park itself, coupled with the new retail areas, attract even more cars to the area? For developer Michael Soler, a director of the Gasan Group, the creation of more car park spaces means that cars will not have to move around Sliema until they find where to park. That means eliminating the creation of on street congestion, he says. “The car park will ensure a better traffic flow,” he reasons.

Architect Martin Xuereb insists that traffic problems are not related to high-rise buildings. “This is a very big misconception because developing the site traditionally will have exactly the same impact on traffic as developing the site vertically.”

Soler insists that according to the local plan the developers can develop the 12,000 square metres of land in the area into 26 blocks with an average height of seven to eight storeys.

“The only difference is that by using the floor area ratio we will keep half of the site as an open public space.”

Another advantage of a high-rise, Soler says is that services such as garbage collection can be centralised.

He even dismisses concerns that Sliema cannot take this massive increase in traffic irrespective of whether development is high-rise or not.

Soler points out that the traffic impact studies have shown that all junctions can cope with the increase in traffic except for the one at the Pjazzetta, which is already earmarked for a new junction by 2017.

“The major problem in Sliema is one of traffic management, not one of too many cars, and the major bottleneck is at the ferries,” he says.

Xuereb also says out that parking access for visitors will be through the main roads and not through residential ones. On the other hand, access to the car park for residents of the apartments will be through Hughes Hallet Street.

He insists that the latest air quality studies, based on the assumption that by 2017 the average age of Maltese vehicles will be down from the current 14 years to 10 years, showed that emissions will remain within EU parameters.

The new project will consist of 163 new apartments, 130 of which will be located in the 38-storey tower. It will also include 4,700 square metres of office space and 8,250 square metres of retail.

Asked what sense it made to build more apartments when 32% of dwellings are vacant, Soler insisted that there is no over-supply of properties when it comes to the top end of the property market.

He refers to the fact that properties at Portomaso and Tigne are immediately sold as evidence that a market exists for properties with the right design and location.

“Properties remain vacant mostly because these are not located in the right location or have a poor design. We have both a good location and a good design.”

As regards shading, the architect acknowledges that the tower will cast a shadow on the roofs of some residences. But he insists that this will consist of a pencil shadow which will not be continuous but will move as the sun crosses the sky.

Xuereb denied claims in the EIA that the project will increase the shadowing on the public open spaces along the Qui-Si-Sana seafront. According to the EIA the scheme also impacts additional areas of the rocky foreshore at noon insofar as there will “no longer be patches of sunshine”.

Xuereb cited the results of studies showing that the major impact on the coastline will be felt in December when the tower’s shadow will extend to the sea. But in June the tower will only impact the coastline between 5 and 6pm.

Asked about the massive inconvenience caused to residents during the months of excavations and construction, Soler replied that the same inconvenience would take place if they developed the site horizontally.

He also pointed out that the advantage of developing a tower will be that a tower is only built once and permanently while low rise developments may take place more sporadically.

“The site will be developed at one go in contrast to other developments in Sliema which see apartment blocks being redeveloped after a few years.”

He also insists that the developers will not be building more apartments by building upwards instead of sideways.

“Had we applied for a traditional development we would have developed around 180 apartments in 26 blocks, [but] through high-rise we will develop a bit less.”

Architect Xuereb also explained the changes in the project over the past years by pointing out that when the project consisted of 23 floors another 15-storey tower was also proposed. The 15-storey tower has now been reduced to five storeys. The latest change saw the height of the main tower increase from 34 storeys to 38.

“We did this because the MEPA asked us to reduce the bulk of the tower at the bottom.”

They also consider the new retail development in the open spaces around the tower as a continuation of high street shopping in Bisazza Street and Tower Road.

“We did not want to create a new shopping mall. We will be creating a pedestrianised space where people can continue their shopping experience while walking along Sliema’s streets,” says Xuereb.

Soler also dismisses claims that high rise in Tigne could affect Valletta’s world heritage status. He backs this by referring to a UNESCO statement that based on the official maps of the World Heritage site, the army base near the Excelsior hotel did not fall within the boundaries of Valletta or its immediate vicinity.

3rd August Deadline for Objections re. 38 storey highrise in Sliema!
Go to this link for further details if you want to send an objection to MEPA: http://sliemanews.blogspot.com/2015/07/objections-to-townsquare-38-storey.html

Sliema - Valletta ferry to travel by night this summer

Tim Diacono
Malta Today
http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/national/53129/valletta_ferry_to_travel_by_night_this_summer?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook#.VWLw4E-qqkr


The ferry service between Valletta, Sliema and the Three Cities will operate during the night this summer.

Between 1 June and 30 September, the last ferry between Valletta and Sliema will depart at midnight, while the last ferry between Valletta and Cottonera will depart at 11pm.

The new schedule was announced following negotiations between the Valletta 2018 foundation and the ship's operators, Fortel.

"V18 is about the social and economic regeneration of the jewel of Valletta, and its results are starting to show," V18 chairman Jason Micallef said.

"We want to breathe more life into Valletta though, and these new ferry times will allow people to travel to the capital by night to visit the Manoel Theatre, the Royal Theatre Square and the St James Cavalier."

He argued that a ferry ride from Sliema to Valletta only takes five minutes, compared to an hour by car.

"Sea transport is the best solution to Malta's traffic problems," Micallef said. "Why are we so behind other countries with regards alternative means of transport? Malta needs to change its car mentality."

Marsamxetto Steamferry Services Ltd managing director Michael Zammit Tabona said that the new service will be extended to winter if the summer service proves to be a success.

Between 1 October and 31 May, the last ferry from Valletta to both Sliema and Cottonera currently departs at 7pm.

Sliema Ferries Roadworks are a rushed exercise in bad planning

It is worrying that Transport Malta has admitted that the roadworks at Sliema Ferries are not attempting to solve the seawater flooding problem in the area. Saying that this issue is being dealt with in the upcoming underground carpark project is not an adequate reply. Transport Malta should also give clear details as to which current roadworks are going to be removed and done yet again once the underground carpark project commences. As a local councillor I am disappointed that Transport Malta is not communicating and consulting in a proper way.

The rushed works being carried out by Transport Malta at Sliema Ferries are causing a nightmare to pedestrians. Crossing the road is very dangerous, signs are lacking, trees have been removed, and there are no signs of bicycle lanes. As Sliema Local Councillor I am particularly concerned for persons with disability, parents with pushchairs, children, the elderly and cyclists.

Sliema requires holistic planning, something which apparently neither MEPA nor Transport Malta are capable of carrying out.

Michael Briguglio
Chairperson, Alternattiva Demokratika - The Green Party
Sliema Local Councillor, AD

Works by Transport Malta exclude cyclists & cause inconvenience

Alternattiva Demokratika - The Green Party said that the works being carried out by Transport Malta in Sliema are causing great inconvenience to residents and will also exclude cyclists.

Michael Briguglio, AD Chairperson and Sliema Local Councillor, said:

"The rushed works being carried out by Transport Malta at Sliema Ferries are causing a nightmare to pedestrians. Crossing the road is very dangerous, signs are lacking, trees have been removed, and there are no signs of bicycle lanes. As Sliema Local Councillor I am
particularly concerned for persons with disability, parents with pushchairs, children, the elderly and cyclists".

"It seems to be the case that no cycle lanes are being designed to facilitate a safer passageway for cyclists in the Sliema Ferries area. Although the bus lane available on one side of the road could possibly be used by cyclists, it is obvious that this is still not the safest alternative for cyclists, while there is no available option for cyclist on the opposite side of the road. When consulting with the local Bicycle Advocacy Group (BAG) - a non political NGO that advocates for the safer roads for cyclists in Malta, Mr. Craig
Wightman from BAG said that; "If cycle lanes are not present or are not possible, then the most logical addition from a cycling infrastructure point of view is to use Sharrows".

Sharrows are clear markings that create more awareness about cyclists actually on the
road in the form of bicycle pictograms and arrows indicating that the carriageway should be shared. In addition new parking places such as those opposite the Forestalls store (front to kerb parking) are missing a ‘safety zone’ road marking. A Safety zone is a gap between two white dashed lines. This keeps parked vehicles away from the traffic/manoeuvring areas and allows doors to be opened without endangering traffic or cyclists. This particular road was resurfaced and safety zones were not marked although similar markings exist on
other roads.

"Many cities in Europe have adopted cycling lanes in order to decrease the amount of polluting traffic whilst encouraging the safe use of bicycles for commuting". The introduction of cycle lanes in the Sliema area would be idea for cyclists who use these spaces to commute or simply for leisure purposes, and would complement the introduction of cycle racks by Sliema Local Council. The lack of importance given to this kind of infrastructure identifies the government's lack of insight into such alternative, unpolluting whilst efficient means of commuting.