Cynthia Busuttil
Will there be traffic chaos in Msida next weekend?
There is still no decision over the application to close two arterial roads to let off fireworks for the Msida feast, with police saying they are still "processing" the application.
The controversial closure of roads is being frowned upon by the Justice and Home Affairs Ministry, though it will not intervene in the issue since the request is still being processed.
For some 11 years the Santa Venera bypass and Regional Road have been closed for the duration of the feast, causing traffic mayhem. The problem will be aggravated this year since Regional Road is a major artery leading to Mater Dei Hospital, and closing it has been strongly deplored by hospital superintendent Frank Bartolo.
But the Msida band club president, Vince Azzopardi, is adamant that the roads should be closed and last week told The Sunday Times that whoever did not like it should steer clear of Msida.
He added that anyone attempting to allow traffic through would do so "over my dead body".
The potential traffic nightmare has raised the ire of a number of people. Even the College of Parish Priests expressed concern over the risk to the sick and the inconvenience it would cause to their relatives.
In a statement earlier this week, the college denounced Mr Azzopardi's comments, saying his attitude was not worthy of a modern society, a Christian and a person holding a position of responsibility in the organisation of a Christian feast.
Their statement was endorsed by Archbishop Paul Cremona, who is currently visiting Australia.
5 Comments
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Corinne Vella
Jul 13th 2008, 22:46
What will Vince Azzopardi do if he needs an ambulance once the roads are closed?
Pamela Hansen
Jul 13th 2008, 21:02
What are the authorities waiting for to take a decision? Godot?
We know that the College of Parish Priests is concerned, as is the Minister for Justice and Home Affairs, but they are sitting on the fence.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Health is decrying the poor use of the operating theatres, consultants knocking off at 2 p.m. and long waiting lists but is ignoring this issue. Why? Is not access to the hospital 24/7 as important?
L Galea
Jul 13th 2008, 18:57
It's like the closure of Fgura main road this morning for maybe 150 - 200 youths to indulge in excessive drinks and dance in front of the Fgura band club.
Only that inthis case it will be a matter of life and death.
Are the authorities going to take a chance with people's lives?
vincent a galea
Jul 13th 2008, 13:40
Just cannot understand what the fuss is all about! What are the police doing 'processing' the application that causes so much stress and hardships year-in-year-out . Unless some mystery is lurking somewhere, these requests should have been refused on receipt. That is why we have the Police and why we put our trust in them!!
Joseph E Briffa
Jul 13th 2008, 10:36
It's about time that an end is put to the closure of these two arterial roads. It is absolutely ridiculous that the passage of traffic through these roads is denied solely for the letting off of fireworks, the more so now that Mater Dei opened its doors. Besides, the shattering noises of the petards will affect the poor patients in the hospital which is only a couple of hundred metres away. Are the authorities to give in to the demands of a selfish local band club? No permit should be given to let off fireworks in this sensitive area and the request to close the Regional Road and the St Vennera bypass to traffic should be turned down. The authorities are there to protect the interests of the public and safeguard their rights not to uphold the selfish motives of a few irresponsible hotheads