Seven trees uprooted at Msida Skate Park due to water leak into tunnels

Around seven mature trees have been uprooted at the Msida Skate Park due to damage the irrigation water was having on the tunnels beneath, according to Infrastructure Malta.
On Tuesday morning the non-indigenous arbutus, melia and grevillea trees, which used to provide the only shade in the area, could be seen heavily pruned and uprooted.
An Infrastructure Malta (IM) spokesperson said when the Skate Park was developed years ago, the landscaping pits were not waterproofed or equipped with proper catchments.
“As a result, irrigation water was seeping into the tunnels, causing extensive damage to its concrete structure,” he explained.
The trees being removed were not indigenous or protected species and would be transplanted for use in other locations by specialised landscaping contractors, he added. 
Fourteen new indigenous holm oak trees and other plants, would replace the uprooted ones, once the agency had carried out the necessary waterproofing works, he said.
The redevelopment of the landscaping area is part of the €10 million project to upgrade Malta’s four main road tunnels (Tal-Qroqq, Ta’ Giorni, Santa Venera and Kirkop), the spokesperson said.

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