Police presence improves traffic flow in Floriana

Traffic flowed easier into Valletta yesterday morning, compared with the congestion created in Floriana the previous day as a result of the closure of Sarria Street to traffic.

However, this was only because a small army of police were mobilised from early morning to keep vehicles moving.

The road has been closed for stands to be erected for the Elton John concert on July 6.

Police commissioner John Rizzo said yesterday he was "not pleased" with the situation, and that it would not be possible to divert so many of his resources until then. He said he was currently discussing the situation with the concert organisers, NNG Promotions.

The organisers had obtained permission to close the road from the Malta Transport Authority.

MTA said yesterday that to keep the traffic flowing along St Anne's Street, the waiting time of the pelican crossing had been extended.

It urged the public to make use of the pedestrian subway, which was cleaned recently following complaints by Floriana council.

The council, which was amazed that the MTA could have accepted to close such an important road for three weeks, said that it was still trying to see how to remedy the situation. One immediate action it is clamouring for is the opening of E.S. Tonna Square, which would at least allow access to the council, the centre for the elderly, and to all the government departments in Floriana.

Executive secretary Kenneth Brincat said that the police input had made an impressive difference, but he said the council had been flooded by complaints from pedestrians about the long time it took the pelican lights to switch to red.

"Even though the subways were cleaned at our insistence, people still cross the road, which is now busier than ever. And when they get fed up waiting for the lights to change, they just cross recklessly.

"I only pray that there will not be any accidents," he said.