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Not rubble, but bund, says Govt
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The Government says it notes recent comments in the media by GONHS in respect of the depositing of rubble near the base of the north face of the Rock, south of Devil?s Tower Road.And adds: It is regrettable that in its adverse comments GONHS should not seek to reflect the positive information supplied to it by the Government in an exchange of letters prior to the start of the project.
These deposits do not represent the ?dumping of rubble,? but the creation of a new Rock Fall Protection Bund.
The new Rock Fall Protection Bund now being created at that location will not be ?at the base of the North Face? of the Rock as GONHS alleges. Instead it will occupy a narrow strip (alongside the wall bordering the road) of what GONHS describes as ?one of the only remaining areas of habitat?. Once the mound acquires the required volume it will act as a rock fall protection measure similar to the one recently created at the exit to William?s Way Tunnel opposite to the former St Peter?s School at
Catalan Bay, says a statement. This bund will be subsequently be covered with earth and vegetated to replace the natural area that is being lost.
"As GONHS is aware, but chooses to avoid mentioning in its Media Release, the depositing of material at the Devil?s Tower Road site is a short-term measure that will enable the provision of long-term rock fall protection."In respect of Gibraltar?s needs for rubble disposal it is no longer possible to continue depositing at the existing site (which is now closed) on the eastside at the exit to Dudley Ward Way. Enough rubble has now been collected in this area and in so doing has re-stablised the lower slope which, together with the additional rock fall protection measures that will be introduced, will ensure the long-term stability and safety of the road and the new extended tunnel exit. "Contrary to innuendos in the GONHS Medial Release the relocated earth and rubble, after it has been processed and vegetated will become another new natural area."A new project is currently under consideration by Government that will provide a long-term solution to the disposal of rubble in Gibraltar. Once a decision has been made to proceed, the details will be announced and it will become obvious that GONHS? allegation that Government does not have ?any strategy? for the long-term disposal of rubble is unfounded.
"Appreciative as Government is of the work done by GONHS in the areas of ornithology, ecology and natural history, the Government reminds GONHS that Gibraltar is limited in physical size. It is therefore unavoidable that the occasional clash of interests between nature and other needs of the community may sometimes need to be resolved in favour of the overall long-term interests of its population whilst at the same time making every effort to give the maximum possible measure of protection to the natural environment," the government said yesterday.
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