Watch: Residents, activists condemn ‘demolition’ of Marsascala promenade arches

Updated 8.15pm

Marsascala residents, activists and Momentum on Wednesday condemned the demolition of a row of arches on the Marsascala seafront, which the authorities say are a public hazard.

A video shared on Facebook by activist Wayne Flask on Wednesday shows an excavator taking apart the arches beneath the promenade on Triq is-Salini. He said the structure had been there since time immemorial, and that they were being demolished to make way for the proposed Marsascala ferry terminal, which has yet to be approved by the Planning Authority. 

“Not only does Minister [Chris] Bonett want the project at all costs, but it appears someone is rushing it through. These are state abuses that take us back to the days of Frederick Azzopardi,” he said, referring to the former CEO of Infrastructure Malta who oversaw several controversial projects.  

But Infrastructure Malta said late on Wednesday that the arches were being demolished as they posed a danger to the public and were only being held in place by a temporary support structure. 

The arches will be rebuilt anew on sound foundations, and the works - which were covered by a permit - had the blessing of the Environment and Resources Authority and the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage, IM added.

The Marsascala Residents Group echoed Flask’s concerns, accusing the government of “bulldozing” over residents’ rights.  

“The permit application PA/6645/25 for a ferry landing in this area of the bay is still being processed by the authorities, and in any case, it does not include the destruction of these characteristic arches. We view these works as a blatant disregard for due process, the public interest and the character of our town,” the group said in a statement. 

MRG said the arches were a defining feature of the town’s heritage, identity and landscape, and called for a halt to all demolition and works beneath the promenade “until the necessary planning permits are transparently processed and publicly debated.” 

The group also demanded the publication of all relevant documents - environmental impact assessments, heritage/archaeological studies, structural assessments, and full project plans – as well as a public consultation with the community,  “and not just cosmetic information sessions, but real engagement where the voices of locals are heard and respected”.  

This is not the first time work on the promenade has caused concern. 

In October, Marsascala residents, political party Momentum and several eNGOs condemned the start of significant works along the coastline, which they said appeared to be part of the ferry terminal project. 

'Government hell-bent on destroying character of southern towns'

Momentum’s Katya Compagno on Wednesday also accused Bonett of hiding plans for the ferry harbour.  

“The PL government seems hell bent on destroying the character of Maltese towns in the south,” she said. 

The party, she added, stood with both Marsascala residents and those of Żabbar, referring to an application approved by the Planning Authority for a home for the elderly that will tower over the town's urban conservation area.

The town’s local council is leading a public protest against the plans on Monday.