Authority declares six-day war on potholes

The transport authority will be carrying out a six-day repair blitz on roads damaged by the recent rains.

The emergency repairs, which follow soaring discontent as motorists saw the amount of potholes proliferate in the past weeks, is estimated to cost about €440,000.

The Malta Transport Authority (ADT) is pledging to finish the job in six days "weather permitting". The work will be done at night and during the weekend "to minimise the inconvenience to drivers".

Simultaneously, the Cleansing Services Departments will also be cleaning storm water culverts which have been blocked by debris and which are causing flooding in a number of areas.

The rain in the past weeks demolished rubble walls in Għargħur, Marsaxlokk and Siġġiewi and caused misery to drivers.

The most serious incident attributed to the rain was a traffic accident in Floriana where a policeman last week was critically injured when his motorcycle skidded and crashed into an electricity pole near the Excelsior Hotel.

But one of the most talked about issues was the potholes that have developed, to the point that the sales made by tyre shops have been boosted. One letter writer to The Times has complained of two punctures in one night caused by potholes difficult to see because they were full of water.

"This permanent road repair programme follows a temporary emergency programme that was carried out by the authority a few days ago. During the emergency programme, cold asphalt was applied to the road surface as a temporary priority-measure implemented to ensure the safety of motorists and other road users," the ADT said.

The use of hot asphalt - tarmac - is a longer-lasting intervention which can only be applied in dry weather.

Works will be carried out in the following areas:

Northern region: Mellieha Bypass to Għadira; Burmarrad; Xemxija Road, St Paul's Bay, Sliema Road, San Ġwann; Birkirkara Bypass; Naxxar Road, Birkirkara; along Gżira/Sliema seafront; Tal-Balal, San Ġwann, Valley Road, Msida. Southern region: Garibaldi Road, Luqa/Marsa, Għaxaq Bypass, Għaxaq, Triq is-Sebħ and roundabout, Qormi.

Eastern region: Dejma Road and San Anard Street, Bulebel, Zejtun Road, Marsaxlokk, Cottonera, Vjal Santa Lucija, Paola, National Road, Santa Venera Tunnels, Sta Venera, Hompesh Road, Żabbar.

Western Region: Nutar Zarb Street, Attard, Mdina Road, Attard, Mosta Road, Lija, Zebbug Road, Attard, Ta' Qali, High Street, Mosta, Tabija Street, Rabat, Dingli Road, Rabat.

A programme for road repair works in Gozo is also being planned. The repair works in Gozo will be funded by the Ministry for Gozo, under whose responsibility the maintenance of roads in Gozo falls.