Kappara traffic lights decision on amber

No final decision has yet been taken on whether to remove the traffic lights at the Kappara roundabout to ease congestion, the Malta Transport Authority's chief executive officer, Mario Falzon, said, adding that the initial results of a test carried out last month indicated that switching off the lights only shifted the traffic problem elsewhere.

Mr Falzon said the situation at other junctions would be studied to find the root of the problem before a decision is taken on whether the Kappara roundabout lights were useful or not, in terms of easing the traffic flow. He said it was pointless sorting out one junction and creating a problem elsewhere.

In November, the authority had embarked on a study of the capacity of the roundabout, monitoring the traffic flow with the traffic lights on and off. The study, which involved the use of the traffic lights at intervals, lasted about one week and was carried out due to the tailbacks in the area, Mr Falzon had said. He explained it had been noticed that, in the case of a power cut, there was no congestion.

The results will be evaluated and a report drawn up by the traffic management director will be presented to the authority's board of directors and the minister.