Cruise passenger terminal

The need for a cruise passenger terminal is highly desirable instead of the present ramshackle area. This was felt as far back as the late 1960s, when Maunsell Partners with whom I personally had several meetings and discussions, submitted a comprehensive report on the development of ports in Malta.

A study has to be carried out in depth on the suggested tunnel because it might cause considerable damage to the residential buildings above the bastions in Floriana. An impact assessment of the tunnelling is a must.

A radical overhaul must be carried out at the Pinto Marina, with good infrastructural roads to the airport instead of the present pot-holed bumpy roads.

The idea to discourage the use of private cars by employees is a pious hope as may be seen by the number of cars parked at present in the Pinto area. These are owned by Customs officials and port workers. Car parking areas are essential because Floriana and Valletta have parking problems already, with not even one slot available even on the footpaths of Floriana, which have become impassable and dangerous for pedestrians.

As the terminal would attract considerable traffic from both passengers and sightseers, as evinced when naval ships enter harbour, something must be done either to allot parking space on payment, even if by tunnelling near the Maritime Authority for parking in the existing CMP Car Park.

Water transport coupled with lifts and mini-buses should be considered forthwith so that people could adapt to this sort of transport in lieu of private cars. This will relieve the already congested roads in the harbour area around Valletta and Floriana.