ENVIRONMENT LANDSCAPES CONSORTIUM (ELC) WERE ASSIGNED THE TASK TO DO A GENERAL PRUNE UP OF TREES AND SHRUBBERY AND TO REMOVE WEEDS FROM ROADS AND PAVEMENTS.
Weed killer and repellent were sprayed along and underneath pavements to discourage re-growth. This assignment was done over a number of days and was conducted after a thorough inspection of the area. The clean-up has resulted in a smarter environment and a number of car parking spaces which were obstructed have now been cleared.
Although the Central Business District Foundation already operates a 3-day weekly waste collection service, it was being noted that plastics and plastic bottles, paper and other ‘light’ litter was increasingly evident underneath pavements and on roads within the CBD, giving the impression of a dilapidated and dirty area. An agreement with Clean Malta will see the introduction of a new sweeping service to take place every week on Sunday. The cleaning is split into 2 zones with each zone being cleaned every fortnight. It is noted that on Sunday, only a very small number of cars are parked within the district making sweeping of roads and pavements easier and more effective. This service was introduced on Sunday, the 29th of May, and the positive difference in the area can be felt by stakeholders operating within the CBD.
All the relevant approvals from Enemalta and TM have been obtained with respect to the installation of the next 5 EV fast-chargers. As soon as the PA gives its approval, these can be installed in the identified locations.
The location of the first 3 CCTV cameras has been identified and talks are ongoing with the Data Protection Office as well as with LESA who shall be housing the back-end infrastructure and in charge of monitoring. With respect to directional signage, PA approval is expected in August and these will be affixed shortly afterwards, each totem featuring the name of the CBDF’s members.
As planned, from the 2nd of May 2022, temporary permits for works to be done within the CBD started to be issued online by the Foundationon behalf of the B’Kara and Qormi Local Councils. Very minimal transitional glitches were experienced, and we are happy to report that the transition process was a very smooth one, mostly thanks to the excellent IT providers and the thorough training given.
It is interesting to note that permits issued to date amount to 140.
AN AGREEMENT WITH INFRASTRUCTURE MALTA WILL SEE THE INSERTION OF THE CBD LOGO ON ALL SIGNAGE LEADING TO THE CBD. THIS PROCESS WILL BE A GRADUAL ONE BUT IT IS HOPED THAT THE FIRST SIGNS SPORTING THE CBD LOGO AND TRADEMARKS WILL BE IN PLACE SOON.
After the On Demand Service was started during May in collaboration with the Malta Public Transport, planning is now at an advanced stage to roll out a trial service of a Park and Ride scheme to be launched first week of October. The service will be free of charge and will operate during the peak morning and evening hours for a total of 6 hours per weekday. The proposed route and co-ordinates of the internal bus-stops is being shown below. This project is again being launched in collaboration with the Malta Public Transport.
