Editorial

There are long roads and short roads, there are straight Roman roads and winding country lanes, there are roads above ground and thoroughfares on the ground, there are tunnels through mountains and passages underneath busy traffic.

As long as there are banks and pavements on both sides of the road, people will want to cross over from one side to the other. They can cross at the level, over a bridge or go underground.

Underground pedestrian crossings have been invented to make crossings possible at all times even when the traffic along the road is heavy and dangerous. They also allow traffic, especially in busy arterial roads, to continue to flow freely all the time. And yet people in Malta continue to refuse to make use of such underpasses for different reasons.

To start with, many would not like to change their ways. In addition, they would rather cross the road at the nearest point possible rather than walk to a subway, go down the stairs or ramp and then up again on the other side of the road.

Perhaps the most loathed of pedestrian underpasses in Malta is the one at Blata l-Bajda, with those in St Anne Street, Floriana coming a close second. The Blata l-Bajda subway is long and it also has a bit of history. It is the spot where a woman was sexually assaulted not too long ago. But, like so many new things in Malta, it lacks maintenance and is badly in need of renovation. As indeed are those in Floriana, notwithstanding the latest so-called refurbishment.

The network infrastructure directorate of the Public Transport Authority (ADT) says it is in the process of upgrading underground pedestrian crossings. A spokesman said upgrading works on the underground crossing in Blata l-Bajda will be carried out shortly.

Blata l-Bajda is particularly dangerous, having multiple lanes, taking traffic in different directions, a bus stop for buses going towards Valletta and another on the other side for buses proceeding towards Marsa. There are other roads that are dangerous too. December 13 Road, in Marsa, Aldo Moro Street, also in Marsa and the Mriehel and Birkirkara bypasses are some examples.

To be taken into consideration too are the many big and powerful cars on the roads and also the huge increase in licensed vehicles, for which read heavier traffic. This scenario demands a new approach at the way our planners look at things when making provisions for road crossings.

What has become evident, especially in St Anne Street during the rush hours, is that pelican lights are not fit for busy arterial roads for you cannot have the traffic stop so very often. The answer lies in underpasses or overhead foot bridges. Ramps can be installed at both.

Of course, continuous maintenance would be a must and, in the case of subways especially, frequent foot patrols by police officers and local wardens would guarantee safety and, thus, more use.

It is not certain yet whether the decision to switch off the pelican lights in St Anne Street is an indication of "modern" thinking among those responsible for the country's roads and traffic management. The fears and complaints aired by both the local council and individuals in the wake of such a decision deserve to be allayed. But they should not be allowed to derail any long-term plans, if these do exist. After all a subway is the safest and most comfortable way to cross a road.