New store & bathrooms to be accessible for divers, but no plans for additional aids to tackle the steps.
In a relatively short meeting before the PA’s Planning Commission, during which only the divinginfo.mt administrator and the architect of the project debated on the case, the proposed project was approved.
We restated the main concerns on this project as per the final representation filed last week – mainly that this project benefits mostly the boat operators whilst providing little to divers, such as no first aid rooms, questionable access to bathrooms and no facilities like showers which are a much appreciated benefit at Ċirkewwa.
Furthermore we highlighted that following meetings held at Public Works Department with Hon. Parliamentary Secretary Omar Farrugia, Project Architects, representatives of MTA and PDSA in October 2024, we never received any further feedback or updates, despite reminders. Furthermore, the project commits the site to such a limited use without considering a more holistic review of Wied iż-Żurrieq accessibility in its entirety to improve the overall experience for all visitors and provide for future opportunities.
The rebuttal of the architect from the Public Works Department stated that divers will be able to use the new toilets and also a store included within the project via the pathway in the middle part of the stairs which he said was included in response to diving centres’ request. He also mentioned a kitting up bench was included as part of the project to MTA standards which however we fail to see in the photomontages or plans. No comments were made on the more holistic review of the area except areas covered by the project.
Regarding improving access for less abled persons, the architect said there we no realistic solutions to this from an infrastructural point of view due to the nature of the location. Additional works he said are in the interest of divers will be the refurbishing of the quay with better surfaces and ladder access.
The Planning Commission moved on to approve the project due to seeing it as improving the current situation.
We now have to wait and see for future plans as to the timing and methods that the project will be executed and to assess whether it will be feasible to use the site for diving during the project’s construction and finishing stage.
