Swieqi residents protest ‘monstrous’ footbridge proposal

Swieqi residents gathered on Saturday morning to protest the proposed pedestrian footbridge along Triq Sant’ Andrija.

At 10am, residents demanded that their voices be heard, especially when it comes to decisions which impact their daily lives.

Momentum Chairperson Arnold Cassola posted on his Facebook page that Swieqi stands “United against a monstrous, useless, four storey pedestrian bridge.

Arnold Cassola holding up a poster reading 'Don't destroy our children's land' (Photo: Arnold Cassola)

The protest was organised by the Swieqi Local Council, calling people to bring their voice and their neighbours to present a united community who wants practical solutions that truly serve residents.

Residents explained that the proposed safe crossing is not being planned where it is needed most.

While asserting that they fully support the prospect of improving pedestrian safety and connectivity in the area, the council expressed its serious concern over the planning application PA 1595/26, which aims to connect Swieqi to Pembroke.

The footbridge will cut across Triq Sant' Andrija, linking it to the Coast Road (Photo: Planning Authority)

Last week, the local council pointed out that the application was not consulted by Infrastructure Malta prior to its submission, despite its obligation to do so.

The footbridge proposed by Infrastructure Malta has already gathered well-over 200 objections.

Objections pointed out that the site falls slightly within the Outside Development Zone (ODZ), with some residents saying that approving such development risks setting an undesirable precedent for further encroachment into ODZ land.

The footbridge falls slightly within ODZ, as encompassed by the red outline (Photo: Swieqi Local Council)

The council also raised their worries on the projected cost of the footbridge, which they understood to be disproportionately high. 

The council presented an alternative solution in the form of a pedestrian underpass, which would reduce visual impact, lower long-term maintenance requirements, and allow for the footbridge to be better positioned in a more frequented area.