Cultural heritige watchdog still concerned about central link project

Despite the various changes made to the controversial Rabat Road project plans, the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage has reiterated its concerns that such works might threaten archaeological remains and historic buildings.
This position was reaffirmed in the wake of the findings of the environmental impact assessment on the proposed development known as the central link project. 
Stretching from the foot of Saqqajja Hill on the outskirts of Rabat down to Mrieħel Bypass, this €55 million project is meant to alleviate traffic congestion in Attard, notably Triq in-Nutar Zarb. Unveiled in May last year, the project was amended several times in the wake of the outcry from environmentalists and residents against the loss of hundreds of trees and large tracts of virgin land. 
Nonetheless, it will still result in the loss of 60,000 square metres of agricultural land, the size of about eight football pitches.

Moreover, 549 trees will be uprooted and 237 transplanted. To compensate for this the government is pledging to plant 618 mature indigenous trees. The project has not yet been approved by the Planning Authority.
Apart from these environmental considerations, the cultural...