Cruise liner passengers

On February 12 the Prime Minister, Eddie Fenech Adami, made a visit to the sea passenger terminal project when the construction of a lift was mentioned. This lift would take cruise liner passengers from Pinto Wharf to Floriana, eliminating the walk up Crucifix Hill to Valletta's centre.

Why are cruise liners berthing at the quay next to gate no. 2, which is situated at Pinto Wharf, when the quay next to gate no. 5, at Lascaris Wharf near the Customs House, is clear of any ships?

Why are passengers given inappropriate directions to Valletta's centre, told to go up Crucifix Hill on to the steps near Boffa Hospital in Floriana, to cross the road where the war monument is situated. If passengers walk through Victoria Gate, up the steps next to Ta' Giezu church, they would end up in Merchants Street, exactly in the heart of Valletta.

A lift would affect the income of business at Lascaris Wharf, St John's Street, St Paul Street and other streets in this part of Valletta.

I would like to remind the authorities that during the reconstruction of quay no. 5 at Lascaris Wharf, we suffered for months from dust and a considerable amount of noise.

This affected our business and now we expect that once works are finished and the number of cruise liners visiting our shores is increasing we should not be cut off from this commerce.