Key words: ESG Wish List 2015, LNG Gas, CUTW 2014 Report

In todays newsletter we’d like to announce some news, which will interest our members and the wider public.

Given the run-up to local elections is now underway, the ESG has held meetings with both political parties and also submitted our 2015 Wish List that includes 14 areas that cover our core aims and objectives. We urge the public to visit our website at esg-gib.net where this document will be posted as from tomorrow.

The Wish List is based on our 2011 paper, carries an interim 2014 review on each issue, gauging progress or inaction, with a 2015 update giving our verdict on “where things stand” regarding the environment in Gibraltar today.

We would just add that for the sake of brevity, in what is unavoidably a long document, we have kept summaries short, and advise anyone with a particular interest or query to contact us for more details.

Some big issues to emerge recently are the new power station fuel choice, specifically gas – and the traffic and transport draft plan.

On the question of gas or LNG storage, the ESG has made our views known by way of previous press releases and in many past newsletters. That is to say that we would like to have sight of technical and H&S documents before issuing a full statement on this matter. We do remain concerned that the present process is breaking down the project into 3 areas: reclamation, power plant, and fuel supply and storage. Although we have been silent on the matter recently, as Govt and Opposition discuss the matter in the media, we reserve our position that more technical details need to be made public so as to give assurance over the levels of safety pledged by those consulted, which are presently swaying Government towards gas, gas storage, and even contemplating bunkering with this fuel in future.

The real question is, can Government revise its present plans if an EIA or technical details demand it? This seems quite a way down the road at present and the ESG is hoping to have a high level meeting with Govt over the next few weeks to discuss this, in detail, face to face.

We have submitted our feedback to GoG on their proposed draft traffic and transport plan believing that implementation; budget and timeframe issues are now vital in converting the proposal into meaningful policy.

Finally, we would like to advise our members, sponsors and volunteers that our CUTW 2014 report is now finalised and will also be posted on our website as from tomorrow, Friday. If anyone listening would like copies of the two reports mentioned in this broadcast please get in touch and we shall try and help.     Thanks for listening!

ESG Newsletter Feb 12^th

Hello- some news on the green front – the ESG welcomes the publication of the Government “Sustainable Traffic, Transport and Parking Plan” – or the STTPP. It’s well worth the read of two hours or so with several ideas on how to tackle hotspots, congestion issues and bring about clearer and calmer streets. As we said in our press release this week many of our transport problems have been detailed with measures proposed, that, if implemented, could begin to change existing transport options to healthier and more environmental choices. This will have the effect of reducing air and noise pollution levels on our streets and also benefit the planet and our purse!!

The public is invited to give feedback on the Plan and will hopefully do so. The idea about creating street metered parking zones to free these up from long-term street parking; introducing safe cycling routes; increase pedestrianisation in certain hotspots in town; the imminent use of the top of the city walls are just some of the examples of how we can move forward and away from chronic traffic problems in Gibraltar. Imagine how many more people will choose to walk or cycle with fewer cars on the roads? The issue of how the end of the runway road, once completed, will impact on overall traffic issues in the northern end of Gibraltar is still not fully understood according to the Plan. This would still require other measures such as Park and Ride and new bus services etc. No doubt tonight’s Viewpoint on GBC will explore these and other recommendations made by the Plan.

Another interesting issue coming up soon next weeks DPC meeting which takes place a little earlier this month – on the 18^th February, at the usual time of 9.30am. The agenda is online at the Town Planning website and the meetings are open to the public. Among agenda items of interest to the ESG is:  details provided on the Waterport Desalination Plant, a proposed Nursing Home at Both Worlds southern site, and a deployment plan presented by Gibtelecom for the 4G antenna service. The ESG has met with Gibtelecom and other Govt departments and agencies in the past few weeks and has been able to discuss matters of concern relating to existing and proposed mast installations and can confirm that discussions are going forward very positively.

As we enter pre-election period, we too, at the ESG, are getting our aims and objectives in order and will be holding a series of meetings with the main political parties to discuss in detail our concerns and recommendations.

Our Wish List has seen several upgrades recently as key issues are constantly evolving but we pledge to have our final document on our website by the end of the month and welcome discussion and questions from anyone with particular interest in any of the 14 subject areas concerned. These include: Climate Change, Energy, Environmental Action and Management Plan, Pollution, Traffic, Recycling and Litter, Waste, Sewage Treatment, Bunkering, Conservation, Mobile Phone Masts and Awareness, Planning, Cross Border Issues, Epidemiological Studies.

Please contact us at 200-48996, mobile 549600000 or email  esg@gibtelecom.net 

ESG Press Release

ESG welcomes the Draft Sustainable Traffic, Transport and Parking Plan

(STTPP) – February 9^th 2015

The ESG welcomes the release of the long awaited Traffic and Transport Plan (STTPP) and supports many of its recommendations.

Many of our seemingly intangible transport problems have been detailed with measures proposed, that, if implemented, could begin to change the tide of conventional transport options towards healthier and more environmental choices. Of course, as well as improving air quality and noise levels on our streets, reducing unessential car use is also good for the planet and our purse.

The report identifies hotspots that can be tackled today, and others, that await further infrastructural changes before these can be addressed. Clearly residential areas throughout Gibraltar need to be supplied with adequate parking. Liberating our main roads and networks of 24 hour parking however, will bring space and safety to many areas.

Therefore, for these, and many other reasons, the ESG congratulates Government for a well thought out report, which already contains considerable community feedback, via the survey and workshops undertaken. In order for this report to have credibility, it is now necessary for the Government to launch a timeframe, which will set out the deadlines to meet achievable targets.

While welcoming this period of further public feedback the ESG trusts that Government will then take the right steps outlined in this plan to bring about a sustainable traffic, transport and parking plan for Gibraltar without further delays.