Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects Ian Borg addressed a press conference during a visit to Mdina, where he spoke about the works being carried out by the Public Works Department on the Mdina playground, as well as about the Budget measures that will be building on the vision of Malta that we want to leave for our children.
Works on the playground include the removal of the existing play equipment to be replaced by new and interactive equipment, a new light installation, new rubber flooring, canopies and solar benches, solar bins and street furniture. The investment is expected to be that of €1.2 million.
Minister Ian Borg said, “Community spaces remain at the top of our priorities and we need to make sure that these spaces in our villages, in this case this playground, offer a space where our children spend their free time in a clean and secure space. It is in this manner that this government remains committed not to leave anyone out and therefore, once again, this year we have announced another budget built on the foundations of a government with a social heart, with a careful and wise manner to continue distributing wealth. This is another budget that thinks of families, the elderly, students, children, but also thinks of businesses, industries and a national plan for Malta that we must leave to our children. We will continue to invest for more growth and investment, we will continue to incentivise for more sustainability and green infrastructure. We will continue to be supportive and help those who buy cleaner vehicles and those who choose to travel with cleaner modes of transport. We will provide a free public transport service to everyone. We will continue to work intensively with commitment for you, so that we invest in Malta that we really want to leave for our children.”
Among the schemes under the Ministry, public transport will be free for all, with an investment of €4,600,000.
With regards to cleaner transport, the financial grant to incentivise the purchase of new electric vehicles or plug-in hybrids will increase by €3,000, from €9,000 to €12,000. In addition, the financial grant for scrapping polluting vehicles in Gozo will be increased. The amount will go up to a maximum of €3,000.
Regarding schemes in favour of less polluting vehicles, for another year, those measures relating to the purchase of electric vehicles, which include those with an absence of a registration tax and an exemption from the payment of the annual road license will be extended for a period of five years from the date of first registration, for electric vehicles and plug-in electric vehicles. From the first of the year 2023, the capping of plug-in hybrid vehicles will increase from 30 kilometres of battery life to 50 kilometres. The special rate applicable to residential homes for individuals who have an electric vehicle and want to charge the battery at night will remain in force. Schemes where a grant equivalent to a full VAT refund is granted on bicycles and electronic bicycles will be extended again. The same applies to the scheme that incentivises the purchase of motorcycles, scooters, pedelecs and bicycles assisted by an electric motor, as well as the grant for those who change their vehicle to run on gas instead of petrol. The scheme for wheelchair accessible vehicles will also be renewed.
A number of new schemes will be launched, including a scheme for vehicles to install photovoltaic panels, where vehicles such as minibuses, coaches and trucks on which photovoltaic panels are installed can be awarded a grant of up to €900. Another scheme which will be launched is to encourage minibus and coach operators as well as trucks to reduce emissions from their vehicles through the installation of diesel particulate filters (DPF) and selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems. There will also be a new scheme to encourage diesel coaches and trucks to be installed with electric motors.
In the infrastructure sector, extensive work will continue on road infrastructure over the coming year, where work will continue on the Kirkop tunnel and Airport Intersection Project (KTAIP), and the Mrieħel bypass, among other infrastructure projects.
Regarding maritime infrastructure, connectivity in Gozo will be improved by modernising the heliport facilities in Xewkija. In addition, the number of wharfs will be increased, alternative routes will be created, the construction of the wharfs in Sliema and Cospicua will be completed, the wharfs will be rebuilt and a new promenade between Vittoriosa and Kalkara will be built, as well as the reconstruction of the Buġibba breakwater.
Photos: DOI, MTIP
