NGOs welcome TM’s recommendation for refusal of Hondoq
Published on www.gozonews.com on Friday, 16th September, 2011.
Moviment Harsien Hondoq together with Qala Local Council, Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar, Ramblers Association, Nature Trust, Din L-Art Helwa, FOE Malta, Wirt Ghawdex, Greenhouse Malta, Ghaqda Universita Ghawdxin and Youth for the Environment, have said that they welcome Transport Malta’s recent recommendation that MEPA should refuse the proposed alternative route to service the application for the building of a yacht marina, hotel and 250 flats and villas at Hondoq ir-Rummien.
Common sense has prevailed, the eNGOs said, adding that “It is indeed heartening to note that just as the Environment Directorate found the EIA biased in favour of the project, Transport Malta also concluded that there are serious shortcomings in the Traffic Impact Statement.”
“Firstly the traffic count was flawed by way of the location where it was carried out, far out of the Qala village core: in reality the project will generate unacceptable additional traffic in the centre of Qala.”
“Secondly the proposed traffic scheme for the project was not adequate. This is obvious considering that the objective of TM is “to provide an effective regulatory framework for land transport with road safety as a top priority, whilst at the same time promoting socio-economic development and protection of the environment.”
Moviment Harsien Hondoq and the eNGOs said that they find it extremely hard to imagine that the MEPA Board would ignore the expert advice of these two authorities, who are specialists in their respective fields, and both of whom have recommended a refusal of this project.
The NGOs concluded by saying that they wished to thank the encouraging numbers who have been supporting the Hondoq cause and also signing the Save Hondoq petition. They asked that those who have not yet signed it, to please do so without delay to help to save Gozo’s natural environment. at http://raxerri.com/soshondoq/.
posted by Hondoq at
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