Is the tunnel vision wise or blinkered?

Abstract

Last week’s presentation by Transport Malta of proposals for a possible Malta-Gozo tunnel brought up some sobering prospects for the area concerned. I will not go into the economic arguments as there are no doubt more suitable platforms than this column to discuss such arguments, although prima facie, costs do appear somewhat prohibitive. Of the four tunnel options under consideration, option 3, which would emerge at Ħondoq ir-Rummien, would have the worst environmental impact, as it is expected to affect the seabed as well as the area’s coastal landscape. The marine survey commis sioned as part of the proposed Qala Creek development high lighted the conservation impor tance of the site’s marine habitats, including high-density seagrass meadows.