14 August 2007 Rating 2% No Comment  

Although Gozo possesses a rich architectural heritage and a uniquely beautiful scenic environment, electrical steel poles are currently being erected in rural areas such as Ras il-Bajjada, an undisturbed countryside area leading from the tranquil village of Munxar to Xlendi cliffs. Alternattiva Demokratika Party Leader Dr. Harry Vassallo said that "While we acknowledge safety and security for persons and property are of paramount concern; it is necessary to recognise the critical importance of the quality of light as opposed to the quantity of light. In order to preserve and enhance the unique qualities of the islands, rural undisturbed countryside and the visual environment, it is essential to encourage the highest quality of outdoor night-time lighting through the adoption of lighting standards. As in the case of Xlendi Cliffs from the village of Munxar, light above the horizontal should be minimised in all installations, as it is wasteful, can be intrusive, and increases sky glow." Dr Vassallo added that recent insensitive developments such as the Bormla Garden and the urbanization of Wied Babu in Zurrieq have received scathing cmments from Mepa.'s Audit Officer. "Public funds should not be spent on projects which are unnecessary, intrusive and damaging" Dr Vassallo said. "Major corporations such as Enemalta or the Freeport should also be held to account, on such matters as the removal of hundreds of surplus electrictiy poles left to rot in the countryside or excess lighting causing unnecessary glare beyone what is necessary or useful." We encourage planning staff, architects, local councils, lighting designers and the general public with an understanding of the concepts behind good lighting design. The type of luminaire mostly favoured nowadays in order to reduce skyglow and light pollution is the flat glass full cut off (FCO) luminaire. This is defined as a luminaire which, when installed at the specified design attitude gives zero intensity at and above the horizontal. Michael Bajada, AD member on the Gozo Regional Committee and resident of Munxar said that "In such rural areas as in the countryside of Munxar, preference should be given to passive means of warnings to drivers and pedestrians. These include installation of reflectorized roadway markers, lines, warnings or informational signs and reflectors at the sides of the road. These eliminate the need for the use of artificial lighting altogether and thus should be seriously considered. Such light pollution has been proved to harm various natural ecosystems as well as exert subtle physiological effects on humans." "Gozo should heed to reach EU standards rather than giving in to please contractors of electrical steel poles to continue with excessive lighting polluting our countryside without distinguishing urban lighting from road lighting." said AD Gozo Spokesperson Victor Galea. "The answer to light pollution at night is not to keep all our streets dark, but to use proper and intelligent lighting without creating disturbances. We encourage local organizations such as the Light Pollution Awareness Group within the Astronomical Society of Malta to continue their good work in advocating for less light pollution. The Ministry for Gozo and the Tourism Association should extend its niche tourism product. Astronomical observatory tourism is a niche market which we hardly started to exploit. By ruining the countryside with irresponsible lighting we will surely not encourage such niche tourism to choose Gozo as their destination."