The GRTU said today that three traffic management proposals made by the Roads Ministry to ease traffic congestion at St Julian's will not make much of a difference for businesses.
GRTU director-general Vince Farrugia accused the Roads Ministry and the ADT of being arrogant in having closed the second span of Manwel Dimech Bridge and started demolition work even while talks with it were still in progress. Furthermore, he said, it appeared that the Prime Minister had not been informed by the ministry that the demolition work had started, to the extent that last Friday on Xarabank he described the GRTU's request to keep both spans open as reasonable, adding that the government had not decided on the way forward.
Mr Farrugia said the traffic management proposals were the opening of Triq Baltiku, a park and ride scheme from the Luxol grounds parking area and better control on works which hinder traffic flow along Tower Road.
Mr Farrugia said Triq Baltiku ran right under the bridge and was not viable while the park and ride scheme from the Luxol grounds was needed irrespective of the current issue.
Mr Farrugia said businesses in the Paceville/St Julians area had suffered a sharp drop in earnings as a result of the closure of one side of the bridge over Christmas last year and they now awaited government proposals on how they would be compensated this year.
During an on-site press conference this morning, Opposition leader Alfred Sant demanded the resignation of Roads Minister Jesmond Mugliett over the bridge project in view of the project's delays and confusion in its management. He also pointed out that while the Prime Minister on Friday could not give a date for the completion of the project, citing talks with the GRTU on keeping both spans open over Christmas, the bridge had already been half demolished as he spoke.
In a reaction, Roads Minister Jesmond Mugliett said Dr Sant was still refusing his invitation for the Public Accounts Committee or the Auditor-General to investigate the opposition allegations on Manwel Dimech bridge, which, the minister said, were untrue. Dr Sant had still not accepted to meet officials of the Transport Authority to get replies to any questions he may have.