During his Budget address, The Minister for Infrastructure & Planning summarised the roles and responsibilities of the Departments he is politically responsible for and praised the hard work of his staff and all the other departments involved in delivering the multitude of manifesto commitments and policies, which came under his remit.
He made special reference to those that work within the Highways and Sewers section who often worked unnoticed, especially during bad weather to help maintain and keep the effects of storm damage to a minimum.
Mention was made to the resurfacing and sewers projects carried out last year and those expected in the coming Financial Year. Phase 3 of the Main Street paving joints project would also commence this year following the completion of Phase 2, last year.
This year would see the introduction of the new post of Transport Planner, which would be key with regards to the implementation of the Sustainable Traffic, Transport and Parking Plan.
Regarding the Sustainable Traffic, Transport and Parking Plan (STTPP), reference was made to the numerous improvements made as per the recommendations of the Plan regarding pedestrian crossings, namely the new crossing at Harbour Views Road and the new light controlled crossing at Europa Road by the Dementia Unit, Ocean Views which was considered the most technically complex crossing to ever be carried out in Gibraltar by the Technical Services Department (TSD).
Next year would see new crossings both at Europa Road by Shorthorn Estate and at Rosia Road by Bayview Terraces while others areas would be further assessed as per STTPP recommendations. New countdown timers had been fitted and in future these would feature in all new light controlled pedestrian crossings as standard. A new roundabout was being planned at Devil’s Tower Road to improve driver options in the area.
The Final STTPP document launched in May was referred to as “undoubtedly the biggest step forward in sustainable, traffic, transport and parking planning and management that had ever been taken in this field locally and would serve Gibraltar over the next 10 years and beyond”. Much reference was made to the importance of ‘change’ within the Plan, a plan that could only succeed if accepted and adopted by all sectors of the community leading to a change in the car culture that had been engrained so deeply into our lives.
Car parking schemes would be very much the focus this coming year. The introduction of Residential Parking Schemes and an increase in the provision of Pay & Display zones to encourage quick turnaround while preparing the way forward for “environmental zones” achieved principally through car-parking schemes and efficient public transport.
‘Redibike’, the Government’s bicycle sharing scheme, saw the launch of 105 bicycles available 24 hours a day throughout 13 locations, a commitment to commence a major review of our road network to ascertain the potential for the provision of segregated cycle lanes, where possible was also announced.
Regarding the STTPP road safety policies, the recently commissioned speed cameras had already caught over 1,900 persons speeding. The initial pilot scheme would soon see an increase in coverage capturing a greater percentage of speeding motorbikes and more camera locations would be introduced. The Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) was also reported as a tremendous success. Since inception, over 1,200, mainly first-time motorcyclists had completed the course in order to acquire their learner’s licence, a scheme that had made motorbike use safer as a result of the proficiency and theoretical elements of the training.
On Public Transport, the Bus Tracker was stated as “the largest milestone achieved” making it possible to place the bus service, directly into the hands of the user. This year would also see the Tracker being introduced at certain bus stops, a new bus company branding and logo, the re-introduction of the request bus stop and new bus location and network maps. The success of the improved Upper Town and Mount Alvernia routes, as a result of the provision of new and smaller buses, was highlighted.
The Minister made reference to the “increasing take up of the Night Bus service over the weekends” and the new N8 night bus service created from the unification of night routes N8A and N8B.
Main Street safety was another important aspect of the Minister’s budget address, where the new delivery times within the pedestrian areas had been introduced to help improve safety and provide a better, tourist-shopping experience. New loading bays closer to the town centre had been created to improve delivery capabilities for commerce.
The Department of Driver and Vehicle Licensing continued with their commitments of providing photocard driving licences and waited to see how BREXIT could affect these licences or otherwise. The department continued to provide training for the Certificate of Professional Competence, allowing professional drivers to remain qualified and working within Europe, and continued carrying out inspections and granting certification to vehicles engaged in carrying dangerous goods, yet another EU requirement. Data sharing commitments within Europe (ERRU), enabling a better sharing of information between Member States as per EU legislations and EUCARIS, the system for sharing driver data to assist car theft and registration fraud was also ongoing. Finally, mention was made to the latest transposed Directive regarding the pursuit of traffic offences committed by drivers when outside of their respective Member States, therefore, this brought all EU Directives relating to Traffic & Transport up to date.
Regarding Town Planning & Building Control, the Minister reported an increase in applications received over the past year, showing that in respect of construction, new developments and refurbishments, Gibraltar’s construction industry remained robust.
Changes to the Public Health Act would see changes to the ‘access and use of buildings’ under new building rules, to be known as ‘Part R’. This would fully provide the necessary legal framework to make buildings truly accessible to all, regardless of disability, age, gender or disability.
DPC meetings continued in public. A total of 12 meetings and 40 sub-committee meetings were held in 2016 helping to speed the decision making process. e-Planning continued to operate successfully making it easier to submit applications on-line without the need to attend a public counter. The recent launch of the map search application was also helping to make it simpler to make the whole planning process ‘open’ and more accessible to all.
The Minister concluded expressing words of gratitude to all civil servants, especially his personal members of staff and all those directly and indirectly involved with his Ministry including Parliamentary staff.
