With an investment of €3 million, the Wied il-Qlejgħa project has been completed. This work included the reinforcement of the basin walls as well as the reconstruction of part of the main road. This intervention was necessary after the damage caused by a major storm that occurred in the past, so much so that parts of the retaining wall of one of the main basins of this valley, known as Chadwick Lakes, ended up giving way.
In a visit by the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Public Works Chris Bonett together with the Minister for the Environment, Energy and Public Cleanliness Miriam Dalli, they explained the work carried out by Infrastructure Malta with the financial support of the Energy & Water Agency. The rebuilt road, leads from one end of the Qlejgħa Valley to the other and is much needed by the farmers who have their fields in these areas as well as by the families who frequent this place to enjoy the local nature that the valley offers.
Minister Chris Bonett said that “This is a clear example of how investment in infrastructure can not only restore access and safety, but also respect and enhance our natural environment.” He continued by explaining how after the damage that had developed due to the storm, this was turned into an opportunity to beautify the area and thus families, farmers and all nature lovers can better enjoy Wied il-Qlejgħa. “This will not be the last time we see projects like these that not only repair, but strengthen the natural and historical identity of our country through infrastructural work,” concluded Minister Bonett.
Minister Miriam Dalli said, “With this project we are strengthening the infrastructure while protecting the natural heritage of our country. This project, the first of its kind in such an ecologically sensitive place, is restoring the largest water basin in our islands while also giving new space to families and the entire community to enjoy nature. The common good is an absolute priority and with our work we are continuing to strengthen the ecological future of our country.”
These works have re-established water storage in the basin, the largest of its kind in the Maltese Islands, with a storage capacity of approximately 35,000,000 litres. This project complements the work carried out on the upper part of this valley which has recently been restored and offers a path for a walk of approximately 2 kilometres. This work was carried out by the Energy and Water Agency with the support of Nature Trust Malta, and ERA. In 2024 alone, this walk was enjoyed by more than 9,200 people.
The architects who worked on this project explained that due to the geological nature of the valley, the work was divided into different phases, also to allow safe access for machinery and workers. Despite the use of concrete pillars as well as iron structures to consolidate the area, the work still complements the nature and character of the valley with the use of limestone blocks. The work was completed by reinstalling the railing that separates the road from the basin which was also renovated to further enhance the natural environment of the place.
This work was carried out in collaboration and with the agreement of Infrastructure Malta, Environment & Resources Authority, the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage and the Energy and Water Agency.
Photo: DOI/MTIP/MEEC
