Concrete blocks 'no substitute' for rubble walls

The use of concrete blocks rather than traditional rubble walls in the countryside would result in rainwater being wasted and in soil erosion, the Labour Party's spokesman on rural matters, Noel Farrugia, said yesterday.

Moreover, the use of concrete would inhibit the propagation of fauna and flora which lead to the formation of several ecosystems.

On the other hand, rubble walls would conserve soil and contribute to the propagation of plants, insects and animals, Mr Farrugia said.

Standing on the main road in Bingemma leading to Mgarr, where a wall consisting of concrete blocks is being built by the side of the road, Mr Farrugia strongly objected to such a practice which is also being resorted to in other areas.

The wall is being built by Mgarr council.

"If the idea is to build a wall to resist rainwater, this can be done by resorting to the system of rubble walls encased in galvanised metal cases as had been done in Wied Qlejgha, better known as Chadwick Lakes.

"These cases of rubble are secured to each other and while resisting floods would allow water to seep through and encourage the establishment of vegetation and ecosystems that thrive in such environments."

When contacted, Mgarr mayor Pawlu Vella said the concrete wall was being built to reinforce that part of the road, thereby widening it and making it possible to build a pavement on the other side.

He said it would have been much more expensive to build a rubble wall as the Labour spokesman was suggesting. For one thing it is difficult to get hold of that type of stone unless it is taken from somewhere else.

"Our idea was to reinforce the road where the foundations consist of soil. The wall, which will just rise slightly above the road level, had been recommended by the local council's architect".

Asked whether the building of the wall had been sanctioned by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority, Mr Vella said he did not feel there was need for a development permit. However, if necessary, the council would stop the work and apply for a permit.

Sections of rubble wall encased in metal, built with the technical assistance of the Mediterranean Agronomic Institute in Bari, Italy, where introduced at Chadwick Lakes when Mr Farrugia was agriculture minister between 1996 and 1998.