Il-Perit Charles Buhagiar tal-Labour jifhem izjed minn Renzo Piano
That two-bit architect Charles Buhagiar, last heard of making tens of thousands of euros (and that’s what we know about) by doing jobs for Labour-led local councils, has had a piece published in The Times today in which he objects (yawn) to Renzo Piano’s Valletta project.
But what’s worse is that he resurrects that obscene proposal he and his Sant-led Labour Party made just before the last general election, the one they thought would be an amazing vote-winner:
slicing through the rock between Valletta and Floriana to let the sea-water rush in, and turning Valletta into an island with a sort of marine moat around it and boats chugging about as the new form of public transport.
Let’s leave aside the architectural and environmental assault and consider instead the chief complaint of the Labour campaign: dan il-gvern qeridna.
Aqta kemm imorru nies ghax-shopping il-Belt imbaghad.
I can’t believe they’re resurrecting this.
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Does Charles Buhagiar know that in a few months’ time, Labour will be in power?
He should have said that the marine-based transport project in Valletta will be in the Labour electorial manifesto.
I am beginning to think that Charles Buhagiar is not convinced of a Labour victory.
I suppose he didn’t notice the lift shaft being erected where the moat would connect to the harbour either.
The idea is not at all original. The knights of Malta had abandoned their original plan to have water in the ditch surrounding Valletta.
Buhagiar was probably referring to the Connections project which would involve having a tunnel underneath Valletta connecting Grand Harbour and Marsamxett Harbour. The ferry tunnel would pass underneath St. Georges Square to allow for vertical connection to the City centre. The ferry route would connect Birgu, Valletta and the Ferries virtually in a straight line and through protected waters.
Water transport is ideal as a public transport mode for areas around the harbour. It is however expensive to operate. The ferry service connecting three foci of activity, as was proposed in the Connections project, would make the service more viable allowing for lower fares and hence increased usage.
Inevitably, however, since MEPA consistently allows itself to be dictated to by a handful of blinkered environmentalists, this project will never happen.
From Switzerland to the second Venice
Once Labour’s isolation of Valletta is completed, then we will hear slogans like:
“Xoghol fil-Belt ghal-Beltin.”
“Roofless theatre” – Oh dear, I just realised that I have a “roofless roof” and a “roofless backyard”.
And the last restaurant I visited, asked me whether I’d like to sit indoors, or in the “roofless”.
Just last week I remembered this proposed project and mentioned it to my husband.
He couldn’t remember it, so I stayed explaining to him what the whole idea was.
I remember the video they had produced quite clearly, with a speedboat going into ditch near the yellow garage; it was hilarious.
Who is his consultant? Astrid Vella?
In the same writing, Mr Buhagiar mentioned the fact regarding the garden on top of the car park. He said that this was a condition when the car park was being built about 20 years ago. And that the PN did not do anything about it.
My question. 20 years ago means that for at least 19 months of these we had a Labour government. And who was the minister of works in that government? Can someone tell us? And what did this Minister do to rectify the “garden problem”, on top of the car park?
Many of our politicians are past their sell-by date. They should make space for the young,modern and more bright ones. One cannot stay there forever. Please make space.
Well, let’s face it, had he anything original to come up with he’d probably contribute it to the phantom Labour programme and call it a massive breakthrough.
Instead they keep coming up with these ‘chewing gum’ proposals which have been chewed and chewed, round and round. The new programme might be called “Ix-xumingam tal-Lejber – Proposti godda min imhuh ghajjena” !!!