Pedestrian access

I refer to the letter Pedestrians Forgotten At Bypass (June 18).

The Malta Transport Authority wishes to clarify that there is a clear distinction between the St Paul's Bay Bypass Project partially funded by the European Union and the works on the slope collapse being carried out by third parties within their property, and at their expense. Hence, "the infamous section of the road that had collapsed, some nine years ago ..." could not have been the part, logically, that should have been given priority during the project .

With regard to pedestrian access between Xemxija and Tal-Fjuri, it is pertinent to note that while it is true that currently there is no through access for pedestrians between Xemxija and Tal-Fjuri, it must be mentioned that there never was a continuous footpath between these two points. The footpaths were discontinuous and there were no pedestrian crossings. It was particularly for this reason that a continuous footpath was designed along the whole length of the road (part of which is currently being constructed).

Additionally, in order to provide access for the Tal-Fjuri residents to the southbound carriageway, a pedestrian crossing was also provided adjacent to the exit from the Tal-Fjuri area. The only part which is not accessible by pedestrians is the stretch of the carriageway which is currently being used for traffic in opposing directions.

Full use of pedestrian facilities will be permitted once the project and the works on the slope collapse are completed.