Residents and activists raise renewed concerns over proposed Marsascala ferry

Updated 11.38am with Transport Minister comments

Residents and Moviment Graffiti have raised renewed concerns about the impact of a new ferry terminal in Marsascala first discussed by the transport minister in an April Times Talk episode.

Transport Minister Chris Bonett had told Times of Malta that the government was "working on a ferry landing in Marsascala”, with plans to operate a service connecting the town with Cospicua.

In a statement Friday, however, activists and the Marsascala Residents Network said the infrastructure needed “raises serious and legitimate concerns, including increased land traffic, pollution, foreshore occupation and ecological degradation”.

They said that while residents had observed surveying work taking place at the site, the proposed ferry service and terminal had “never been formally presented to residents, and its rationale and feasibility remain undisclosed and undiscussed”.

This is not the first time the Marsascala Residents Network has questioned the plans; in the days following Bonett’s interview, the group called the proposal unnecessary while raising fears the ferry would negatively impact the character of the area.

“Moviment Graffitti and the Marsaskala Residents Network strongly support investment in public transport. However, they are cautious about projects that may prioritise private or commercial interests over the needs of the public”, the statement read.

Saying it was not the first time the area had faced the “threat of overdevelopment”, the organisations said past proposals for water polo facilities and a yacht marina had been met with “strong public opposition and ultimately halted”.

The groups said they had raised questions about the ferry terminal’s impacts in a letter to the transport minister “months ago” but had yet to receive a response.

“If the minister has concrete answers and data supporting this proposal, he must engage in transparent and inclusive dialogue with residents, based on a comprehensive and evidence-based transport plan.”

The organisations questioned whether the project was “truly intended to serve the transportation needs of residents” or designed to “funnel mass tourism to the commercial establishments surrounding the bay”.

'Ferry a solution, not a problem'

Responding to the statement, Bonett said in a Facebook post the planned terminal was part of a larger project to regenerate the Marsascala promenade, with the slated ferry service designed to give residents in the south “alternative and efficient transport”.

“I am inviting everyone not to use tourism and commercial activity simply to destroy a project that is good and necessary when so far, all that has been announced is the idea”, said Bonett.

“Let us not jump in and attack a project whose sole purpose is that with its implementation, we will have an integrated sea transport system from the south to the north to reach everyone”, he said.

“The ferry service works. And it has always been a solution and not a problem.”

The minister thanked the “many residents” of Marsascala who he said had expressed their support for the project and pledged to “maintain continuous contact and a lively dialogue” with residents and the local council about the project.

Bonett said the proposed service would link to existing services and a new route planned between Sliema, Buġibba and Gozo, “the fruits of which we will see in the coming months”.