Cut off

It would be interesting if the residents of Zonqor area were to be informed who decides to cut them off from the rest of Marsascala, and even the rest of Malta, if they depend on public transport, whenever any sort of event is organised. This is happening all too frequently, the last time on September 1. Did the organisers/police have to close access before four o'clock for an event starting much later that evening?

Marsascala can be approached by car either through Zabbar or the Marsascala by-pass. If one happens to take the by-pass, when one arrives at Marsascala he/she is prevented from crossing the main square to proceed to Zonqor and must go all the way back to Zabbar to take the alternate route.

So much for saving on doing less kilometres to reduce carbon emissions in the atmosphere. I dread to think of the consequence if an ambulance or fire engine would be required urgently in this area when its driver has to turn tail all the way to Zabbar after reaching Marsascala.

Is it too much for whoever organises these events, and the police authorities who issue permits for these activities, to consider the consequences of their decisions and at least put some form of notice at the entry to the by-pass that access to the Zonqor area is only via Zabbar?

The same happens when Triq ix-Xatt is closed, and to go from the Siberia side to the Zonqor side one has to go all the way to Zabbar.

Also, the only bus service in this area is an hourly bus that comes down from Zonqor Heights and proceeds along the sea front towards the centre of Marsascala. Not only is this a most inadequate service but on such events we are also deprived of this service. Is this the way to encourage people to use public transport where the service is suspended whenever a cat decides to sneeze (sic) in the square?

I am sure that with some thought and imagination solutions could be found to reduce such inconveniences: for example other places could be used for such events or traffic diversions set up in order to avoid making access difficult and nearly cutting off this area completely.