During a press conference, a plan for connections for safer active mobility across Malta was announced by Minister for Transport, Infrastructure, and Capital Projects Aaron Farrugia and Infrastructure Malta CEO Ivan Falzon.
The scope of the plan, which includes significant infrastructural investments mostly in urban areas, is to provide better options for travellers who prioritise active mobility.
The planned connections not only connect places but also give users the possibility to switch between different modes of transport along a route. The announced plans make all this possible, with users gaining improved active mobility access to public transport nodes and new proposed mobility hubs. This will be done by adopting infrastructure that is appropriate and safe for the intended user and by choosing the connections to be direct and continuous.
The routes will also aim to connect green spaces and busy nodes so that the enhanced experience will be an efficient way to travel by walking and cycling. This will also be an opportunity to continue ameliorating our urban spaces and transforming them into places for all.
The first phase of this plan will focus on connections between Sa Maison, Valletta, and the Sea Passenger Terminal through Blata l-Bajda, covering an approximate length of 3km of active mobility infrastructure. This area includes important connections such as Valletta, the periphery of Ħamrun, the Sea Passenger Terminal, and four busy public transport nodes.
Minister Aaron Farrugia reiterated the importance of these active mobility routes and the way that this plan intends to address the much-needed change in mobility in our country.
“Through this plan, with a total investment of €35 million, we are offering people realistic alternatives to their private vehicles. Safe routes, with the proper infrastructure needed for people to make use of alternative modes of transport. Through this plan, we seek to address a change in mindset and help people understand that there are better alternatives to the private vehicle, and we are providing the infrastructure for them,” concluded Minister Farrugia.
Present for today’s press conference were architects from Daniel Scerri Periti and JP Architects. NGOs Rota and Bulletproof were also present.
