Msida, Pietà councils maintain opposition to pedestrian bridge after PA approval

The Msida and Pietà local councils have reiterated their opposition to the planned pedestrian bridge on Triq Marina, after the Planning Authority rubberstamped the proposal.

On Wednesday, Times of Malta revealed that the PA had approved the plans for the bridge, which will connect the Kulleġġ bus stops on Triq Marina, replacing the existing pelican crossing.

In a statement, the Msida local council said it was unhappy with the PA’s approval. It pointed out that it had unanimously voted against the bridge after Transport Minister Chris Bonett had announced in November that the government would take up a proposal by the Junior College students’ council.

A subsequent meeting with the minister failed to change the council’s view. 

“The proposed bridge will inconvenience those who wish to cross the road because, instead of using the pelican crossing, they will have to climb to the top of a six-metre-high bridge,” the council said. 

“Moreover, it will be difficult for those with limited mobility, bicycle and wheelchair users, and those with pushchairs to cross, especially if the lift is not working,” it added, pointing out that lifts at other bridges across Malta are often broken down. 

The council insisted that an alternative, more sustainable solution was possible. 

Contacted by Times of Malta, Pietà mayor Stefano Savo said the council had held off calling a vote on the bridge until it saw the plans, but in the meantime had consulted residents who live nearby. 

“Their concerns revolved mainly around the bridge being an eyesore, what elderly people will do when the lifts are not working, and privacy and public safety concerns due to it being elevated,” Savo said.  

The mayor said he raised residents’ concerns with Infrastructure Malta, and proposed several alternatives, including an underpass, a more efficient, AI-powered pelican crossing, and an elevated section of road.

“After the plans were made public earlier this week, the council met and voted against giving its approval. We then had another meeting with IM, during which they addressed many of the concerns, but the council is still against the bridge in principle,” the mayor said. 

On Thursday, a coalition of NGOs slammed what they called a cowardly attempt to revive the bridge plans and called for consultation for a better pedestrian-focused solution. 

Moviment Graffitti, Rota, Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar and Friends Of The Earth urged the government to “work hand-in-hand” with the respective councils and communities to find solutions that would make pedestrians’ lives “easier, not worse”. 

Despite the idea for a pedestrian bridge being described as a student-led initiative, it was included in the original Msida Creek plans unveiled in 2020. It was then shelved following widespread opposition.