Swieqi traffic system

The article by Vanessa Macdonald (December 15) continues to confirm that there is a mysterious hand behind the imposition of a one-way traffic system. As a member of the action committee I feel the need to clarify a few points by giving an accurate chronological account of events. This is necessary since it is unfair to confuse residents. It is deplorable that anyone should try to give out incorrect information.

The problem all started in spring when Swieqi residents woke one morning to find one-way traffic signs all over the town and road signs painted throughout the locality. The residents were up in arms. To add insult to injury, two Nationalist local councillors had joined the hundreds of residents who petitioned against the imposition of the system. When this happened I was not present on the island.

I tried to calm the situation down by consulting the mayor. To diffuse the angry crowd I helped so set up a residents' action committee. I had to prevent any individual initiatives and ensure that the situation did not get out of hand.

A residents' meeting was called and the outcome was very positive. We invited the mayor and the council members to attend and they did. I made it known in public that I was not going to express any opinion in favour or against the imposed system because the system had until then never been discussed properly.

Ever since, the action committee has maintained excellent, direct contact with the mayor and he guaranteed that we would be duly informed when any developments were ready to be implemented.

Ugly black rubbish bags covered up the road signs.

To the surprise of everyone, the mayor included, the other day residents woke up to discover that road signs had been painted all over the town for the second time. We contacted the mayor who wrote to us saying he had no idea who had authorised the painting of lines all over Swieqi. Somebody had jumped the gun, but who?

We now have two heads of important authorities, our mayor and Gianfranco Selvaggi, chairman of the Malta Transport Authority (ADT), both reported as saying that they had not authorised the painting of the road signs. Somebody must have.

We are justified on behalf of the taxpaying residents to ask who authorised what. Was it someone from the central government or was it some councillor, over the head of our mayor?

The issue will not be solved by the dog chasing its tail. Introducing a traffic system, just a couple of months prior to the local council election, does not show respect to the hundreds who are against the system. I am being bombarded by residents asking why this rush. I have no answers.

I appeal to our council not to impose the system yet. The new council should decide. If ADT is the supreme power than what is the function of the local council? Is it just responsible for public cleansing?

One positive outcome is that three members of the action committee are confirmed candidates for the forthcoming Swieqi local council election. The constituents who want to vote for the PN have a choice of candidates. Two of them have declared without reservation they are against the system. I, the third, have made it clear from the outset that I reserve the right to express my opinion only after I know what is being proposed.

Even the present council is divided on this issue. The system that is being proposed in the council's magazine has some very good points but creates some very serious problems. We definitely need a traffic management system in our town. Imposition is not in the best interest of residents when three other previous councils failed to agree on one.

The mayor is being naïve if he thinks that the residents of Swieqi believe for a minute that the system will only be introduced on a three-month trial basis. Years ago ADT introduced a public bus route in Swieqi. The council protested strongly, even organising a protest and preventing the bus owners from using the route they wanted. We gave in because we were assured this was only on trial. Seven years later the bus owners still rule. The system is still being tried out!

It seems the residents of lower Swieqi are going to be ignored once again, this time by their own council. Our mayor can count on the unconditional support of the action committee when the best system is agreed upon. At the moment there is no consensus. Many are also asking who is going to pay the ADT for the illegitimate signage and how much it will cost...