Kirkop speed humps (2)

The residents of Kirkop are really annoyed with the overspeeding of vehicles in the village. Since the majority of our roads and streets are well asphalted, many motorists coming from other localities have found our streets very convenient to use, but unfortunately on several occasions they have exceeded the speed limits and have caused high density of exhaust emissions. Moreover, they have completely flouted the traffic signs.

On various occasions we have witnessed serious accidents in our locality, such as car collisions and also negligent driving causing damage to private property. A few years ago we witnessed a fatal accident in Triq Zebbiegh and during the last 12 months the balustrades of the church parvis were damaged by vehicles on three different occasions.

Residents have complained that our good streets have become unsafe and almost all those living in Triq Lewziet have protested strongly with all the councillors about dangerous driving and they requested to introduce the speed humps. At Triq il-Lewziet, there is the exit of St Benedict College, the football nursery and Rousset Gardens. Hundreds of children cross at the bend of this street and the bottleneck of the street makes it more prone to car accidents.

Kirkop council has received several complaints about overspeeding in Triq il-Lewziet and Triq taz-Zebbiegh. Additionally, Ing. Brian Tabone conducted a study, on his own initiative, to determine the speeds of vehicles passing through Triq il-Lewziet and Triq taz-Zebbiegh. The report of this study is available from the council.

This study was taken for 100 vehicles between August 6 and 12 and the engineer's report has proved that the residents' complaints reaching our office have been sustained. It was revealed in the report that the speed limit of 35 km/h is not being respected by motorists when driving through their residential road. The average speed of this sample was calculated at 58 km/h, with the maximum being 88.6 km/h and the minimum 44.4 km/h.

However, the temporary decision taken by the council to introduce the speed humps has left, on the whole, a positive impact on the driving situation, but on the other side, the yellow colour of the humps is scaring a few horses.

It is sad to note that such action has disappointed many horse jockeys, who used to ride their sulkies through the 380-metre long road. However, the council is open to all suggestions and it is still working hard to find means for safer streets in our locality.