Christian Peregin
Drivers fume over diversion at St Paul's Bay
The billboard on the left says Feel Special, which is not exactly how drivers on their way to Xemxija felt yesterday. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier.
Irate drivers faced up to an hour's delay trying to get through St Paul's Bay yesterday when a traffic diversion at the bypass was compounded by a construction crane in the town which slowed traffic to a snail's pace.
The crane was being used in the narrowest part of St Paul's Road, through which traffic was being diverted towards Xemxija because the northbound carriageway of the bypass was closed for works.
The crane was removed at noon following a complaint. The local council apologised for the inconvenience. The diversion will be in place until Saturday for defective parts of the recently reconstructed bypass to be redone after several sections of its surface were found to be uneven.
A local council spokesman said the permit for the crane was issued long before it (the council) was informed about the closure of the bypass.
Another permit was issued last week for works to be carried out today in St Paul's Road between noon and 3.15 p.m. This time traffic will be able to flow from both sides and a warden will be on site, the spokesman added.
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R.Gauci
Oct 21st 2008, 19:00
This is a clear example how things work in Malta where the right hand doesn't know what the left hand is doing ! There's no coordination or holistic thinking when projects, maintenance or repairs are done and this is costing the country millions of euros not to mention the hassle is creating to the people staying on the island!! I bet that the local counsil didn't check with the traffic control board if any works were being carried out nearby before giving the permit to the crane (if it had 1??)!! And what about doing the works(in the bypass) during the night as it is done in other EU countries?After all its the contractor's fault if defects errected in the 'NEW' road! People should learn from these experiences how the departments and authorities are being managed! Clearly a total mess!!
Chris Finch
Oct 21st 2008, 10:40
This is ridiculous. Why close the whole baypass? Haven't the roads department, the contractors or indeed anyone who is involved in these decisions heard of a CONTRAFLOW system?
Work on one side and have the other open so traffic does not have to pass by.
Also once the council knew about the closure, it should have revoked the permit for the crane. Or did it not want to upset the construction company involved. So to keep one mans pockets lined, thousands of people have to suffer. This is a topsy turvey tin pot island.
I have my 5 year old nephew visiting in a month. If anyone from the planning department wants his expertise or advice in these matters i am sure he will be willing to give them a hand. After all, he couldn't do a worse job than we are seeing at the moment.