Speaking at a press conference, Alternattiva Demokratika Chairperson, Dr Harry Vassallo said that local councils should lead the way in preserving traffic free areas and in giving priority to forms of transport which do not add to air pollution.

“Alternattiva Demokratika is launching a campaign inviting all local councils to adopt the Declaration of Florence on urban mobility”Dr Vassallo said. “While European towns and cities have built up a wealth of knowledge on how to improve urban mobility giving preference to pedestrians, cyclists and public transport, some local councils in Malta and Gozo still give preference to cars by turning village squares into car parks as in Munxar or removing greenery to favour car parking spaces as in Attard”Dr Vassallo said.

“The increase in motor traffic in Malta has reduced air quality to the levels of large European cities. This increase in numbers is likely to outstrip and eliminate any beneficial effect of cleaner burning modern engines as has happened in cities abroad”Dr Vassallo said. “Alternattiva Demokratika fulfils its role as a Green Party by making it clear to everybody that we are at a point where we can no longer ignore the obvious: not finding a parking place is a small inconvenience when compared to the toll of chronic respiratory ailments among the young and the deaths before their time among senior citizens caused by deteriorating air quality”Dr Vassallo said.

“While it has been scientifically documented several years ago that 35% of Maltese children under 16 suffer from asthma or allergies, it appears not to have been registered by policy makers on a national or local level”Dr Vassallo said. “While it is important that we keep in mind the large, national picture, we must also acknowledge that this reality is made up of individual, specific cases which must be addressed in order to ensure that a coordinated effort is made to address the common challenge to improve air quality”Dr Vassallo said.

“The adoption of the Declaration of Florence by local councils will inform their actions in spending public funds by providing them with a clear framework and a definite set of priorities”Dr Vassallo said. “Our first invitations will be made to those local councils where we are represented but we propose to extend this invitation to all local councils and expect to receive a positive response from all local councils”Dr Vassallo said.

Dr Vassallo said that it was the policy of the Green Party to address the wider national issues through action in specific cases. “It is pointless documenting air quality across the country if we do not seek to make improvements on the ground. Car parks attract traffic and add to pollution. While objecting to misguided solutions in specific cases, Alternattiva Demokratika is committed to improving both air quality and urban mobility by seeking the development of viable, safe and cheaper alternatives to the current modes of transport. We may be bottom of the list in the EU in this sector right now but we have the potential to become European leaders and the envy of other countries with far more serious problems in this area”Dr Harry Vassallo concluded.