ADPD urges maritime reform and shift away from car dependency

ADPD-The Green Party on Tuesday called for a comprehensive overhaul of maritime governance and a decisive shift towards sustainable mobility, arguing that both sectors suffer from fragmented policy and a lack of long-term vision.

Addressing a press conference, party chairperson Sandra Gauci and executive member Marcus Lauri outlined proposals focused on protecting Malta’s seas and tackling the country’s transport crisis.

Lauri stressed that the sea is central to Malta’s identity and economy, supporting tourism, fisheries, aquaculture, and international shipping. However, he warned that marine ecosystems are under increasing pressure from pollution, overdevelopment, and climate change. To address this, ADPD is proposing the creation of a dedicated maritime ministry or secretariat to replace the current fragmented approach. A unified policy framework, he argued, would strengthen management of the blue economy while ensuring better protection of coastal and offshore environments.

Gauci focused on mobility, describing Malta’s traffic situation as a structural crisis with economic, environmental, and health implications. With one of the highest car ownership rates in Europe, she noted that many short trips could be replaced by walking, cycling, or public transport.

She criticised heavy investment in road infrastructure, arguing that it provides only temporary congestion relief. Instead, ADPD is advocating a “modal shift” away from private cars. Central to this is a Bus Rapid Transit system with dedicated lanes to deliver faster, more reliable service at lower cost than large-scale road projects.

Gauci also highlighted the need for safer alternatives such as cycling, proposing dedicated lanes or reduced speed limits in urban areas, alongside low-traffic neighbourhoods. She criticised the encroachment of pavements by commercial activity, calling for pedestrian prioritisation.

She argued that viable alternatives already exist, but political will is lacking. The choice, Gauci concluded, is between continuing current policies or adopting a people-centred, sustainable mobility model.

RSS Feed Source: Independent Malta ADPD urges maritime reform and shift away from car dependency