WITHOUT DOUBT 2021 HAS BEEN A CHALLENGING BUT EXCITING YEAR. AFTER THE PREVIOUS YEAR WHEN COVID 19 REACHED OUR SHORES, THE AVAILABILITY OF EFFECTIVE VACCINES WAS A WELCOME DEVELOPMENT WHICH GAVE NEW HOPE FOR A SPEEDY RECOVERY AND BACK TO THE NORMS OF LIFE THAT WE ARE USED TO, AND ALTHOUGH COVID WITHOUT DOUBT WILL STILL BE WITH US FOR THE NEXT YEAR OR TWO, IT IS EVIDENT THAT THE COUNTRY IS FAST RETURNING TO ‘NORMALITY’.
One could also note that activity in the Central Business District during the first few months of the year was also subdued when compared to previous years, but this picked up gradually and I can confidently say that the level of activity seen before COVID is fast being reached.
Nonetheless, at the CBDF it was business as usual with Police community patrols continuing daily and the usual street and road maintenance and cleaning taking place as needed. Construction of the new road that links Triq L-Intornjatur with Triq L-Industrija as well as works on Triq l-Innovazzjoni have been completed as also have works in Triq l-Esportaturi; with Triq Pietru Dacoutros expected to be completed by the end of the year. It is also worthy of note that a mobile application has also been launched which will provide up-to-date information of whatever is happening in the district in real time.
In the meantime, it must be said that at present a number of operators are currently suffering considerable inconvenience due to the Central Link Underpass Project which has resulted in traffic deviations and the removal of on – street parking. It is planned that by July 2022, the new underground junction will be complete and traffic flow into the CBD will be improved considerably.
I am also pleased to report that during 2021, we have consolidated the team with 2 additional officers which will provide the needed experience and assistance to help us with the projects which we have planned during 2022.
Indeed, a number of exciting projects are planned for 2022 which will include the internal shuttle system to transport users of the CBD to and from designated ‘temporary’ car parks, the development of another car park at Triq in-Negozju, which can accommodate over 350 motor vehicles and the development of a single point of contact online temporary permitting system which will without doubt facilitate and simplify life for every operator in the CBD. Other significant planned projects include further upgrades of the underground stormwater system and the installation of CCTVs in key areas.
But enough with work! I sincerely want to take this opportunity to wish you all a happy and blessed Xmas with your loved ones and a healthy and prosperous New Year. After all, without your success and generosity, the CBDF will cease to exist.
We’re going Greener
The Central Business District Foundation is installing 11 charging pillars for electric vehicles, each able to charge two cars concurrently.
The location of the charging pillars will be spread out around the business district to facilitate their use as much as possible, and in so doing contribute towards a reduction in vehicles’ emissions for the benefit of the environment and the Central Business District community.
THE CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT FOUNDATION – PROJECT PROPOSAL
THE SERVICE WILL OPERATE WITH ONE OR TWO BUSES AS PER SCHEDULE AGREED BETWEEN MPT AND CBD.
West side – next to Homemate (serving zones 1, 2, 3 and 4)
East side – opposite JCR Imports (serving Zones 3, 4 and 5)
The CBDF is in discussion with the MALTA PUBLIC TRANSPORT (MPT) to establish a scheduled internal shuttle service to operate from the temporary car-park to a number of designated stops within the district.
It is the intention of the CBDF to extend this service on an ‘on demand basis’ with the addition of virtual bus stops which can be accessed through the CBDF application. This service is intended to commence on a pilot basis by the second quarter of 2022
THE CBDF IS WORKING ON THE DEVELOPMENT SOFTWARE IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO RECEIVE APPLICATIONS ONLINE FROM OPERATORS WITHIN THE CBD FOR THE ISSUE OF TEMPORARY PERMITS.
Discussions are being held with the Local Councils of Birkirkara and Qormi in order for a working arrangement to be established where the CBDF, on behalf of the respective Local Council, acts as the sole point of contact with the operator and the process can be done online through the CBD website or directly through the Application which was launched recently.
This will simplify the whole process of permitting and will save the operator time and money. The system is expected to go live by the end of the second quarter of 2022.
