Heavy vehicles at Xewkija park-and-ride are 'temporary', ministry says
Gozo Ministry cites project to install EV charging pillars at site
The presence of heavy vehicles, parts and equipment stored at a Xewkija park-and-ride facility is “temporary”, the Gozo Ministry said.
Photos sent to Times of Malta appear to show parts of the facility being used as a storage facility for construction vehicles and a rundown car.
A spokesperson said the ministry is collaborating with Transport Malta and Malta Public Transport (MPT) on the installation of charging pillars for the electrification of the public transport bus fleet in Gozo, as part of the government’s measure being implemented under Transport Malta’s regulatory framework.
The presence of vehicles and equipment on site is temporary and work-related, the spokesperson said.
More than €7 million have been pumped into the project, including €4.7 million in EU funds.
The park-and-ride facility is located in the Ta’ Xħajma limits of Xewkija. Half of the 24,000 square metre area is earmarked to be dedicated to 300 parking lots. A bus shuttle service is operated between the facility and the Mġarr harbour.
Residents and activists have repeatedly raised questions over the delays and the way the facility appeared to be taken over by third-party trucks.
Nationalist Party election candidate Luke Said noted: “Parking problems are real but public infrastructure built with public funds for the benefit of Gozitans cannot simply be taken over through neglect and misuse.”