26th March 2002
Urgent action needed to improve people's
health - FoE (Malta) calls for sustainable transport plan
Seven months have
passed since doctors Balzan and Bonnici published their
research showing that the residents of Fgura have the highest
level of respiratory problems among all the towns and cities
studied worldwide. Zejtun did not fare much better.
The doctors pointed out that the cause of the health problems
are likely to be related to motor vehicle and power station
emissions, yet there has been no reaction from the government.
The Environment and Planning Authority has warned that Malta
will have 370,000 vehicles on our roads by 2020, close to
one per person. We face the scenario of static traffic.
On the other hand, the Minister for Transport, Censu Galea,
has promised:
1. The promotion of transport integration and land-use planning,
2. The introduction of emissions requirements in VRT tests,
due to come into force in January 2002,
3. Stricter controls in the carriage of dangerous goods,
4. Gradual replacement of old buses,
5. Encouraging innovation in the transport industry,
6. Promoting alternative means of travel,
7. Reform in the testing and licensing system for drivers.
But we have seen no results.
While emissions testing should have started, nobody seems
to be aware of what is happening. Friends of the Earth (Malta)
calls on the authorities to inform the public of the parameters
for the tests and the publication of statistics of vehicles
that passed and failed.
Malta needs an integrated plan designed to improve the efficiency
and reliability of transport methods giving due consideration
to social and environmental impacts. Several FoE groups
in Europe have helped to prepare such plans and FoE Malta
would be glad to offer the expertise of FoE international
in preparing such an integrated transport plan for the Maltese
Islands.
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