Traffic in Għajnsielem

Recently the government, with the help of the EU's Cohesion Fund, opened a new facility for the separation of waste in the area known as Tal-Kus, limits of Xewkija and Għajnsielem. This facility would fulfil its purpose only if people are aware of the need to separate their waste and thus take it to this facility.

The roads leading to this facility from Xewkija were given a new look and freshly tarmacked, but the road from Għajnsielem was ignored, which is why one can still see dumps along this road and why it looks so neglected.

Tarmacking Cordina Street, which from Ghajnsielem leads to this facililty, would surely reduce dumping in this area. This is essential because if it is upgraded, it would be an alternative route to Mġarr Road, especially when this needs to be closed for some reason.

One reason Mġarr Road has to be closed is to allow the setting up of light decorations for the village feast, as well as on the actual feast days, and to remove all the street decorations when the feast is over.

Unfortunately, this year Mġarr Road had to be closed for several hours because of two traffic accidents.

A large volume of traffic passes through Mġarr Road every day. When it needs to be closed, all this traffic has to pass through the centre of Għajnsielem to reach Mġarr Harbour, and vice-versa. Since most of Għajnsielem's streets are narrow the result is traffic congestion.

Besides, a few years ago, Għajnsielem council spent a considerable sum to renovate the local square by building a new pavement. But this project was not designed for to take heavy vehicles.

This is an added reason why, when Mġarr Road is closed, it is essential to use Cordina Street as an alternative.

I also think it is time to introduce speed cameras on Mġarr Road, and since Gozo Heritage has closed down, the pelican lights near it can be removed and installed further down the road, at the corner with Għajnsielem Street and Cordina Street. Thus, residents of Cordina Street can cross the road safely and traffic has to slow down and thus be better controlled.