Transport Malta challenged: Be open about your Għadira mooring project
Momentum says regulator has given very little information about works at Mellieħa bay
Transport Malta must be more open and communicative about work to add permanent moorings at Għadira Bay, Momentum has said.
The political party said it was concerned by ongoing works to install permanent moorings across “nearly half” the popular swimming spot in Mellieħa.
“Transport Malta has not disclosed the total number of new moorings being installed, leaving the public without the information needed to understand the true scale of the project,” it said. “On the map, the new moorings will stretch about 2 km, the size of Valletta and Floriana together, making it the largest mooring area on the island.”
Momentum chairperson Arnold Cassola said the party wanted to see an inclusive public consultation process about the project as well as information about the number, size and location of moorings being added to the bay.
Such a project should also be subject to an independent environmental assessment, Cassola said.
Transport Malta first started the project in June. It says it is reorganising existing moorings and adding an undisclosed number of new ones to address a waiting list.
It has denied any plans to develop a marina at the bay, “either now or in the future”.
In its statement, Momentum said the expansion of moorings failed to take into account the extensive watersports practiced at Għadira, reducing available space for windsurfers, small sailing boats and kiteboarders, among others.
Having permanent moorings would also discourage casual boat visits to the bay and risk turning Għadira “into an area reserved for the owners of the moorings rather than an accessible destination for all,” it said.