Waylon Johnston and Claudia Calleja
Where is the promised bridge?
No footbridge over bypass despite permit having been issued seven months ago
Lucinda Fenech looks at the spot where her sister, 13-year-old Graziella, was run over while crossing the Mrieħel bypass in 2005. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli
Four years after the death of two teenage girls, run over while crossing the Mrieħel bypass, their angered relatives are asking what has happened to a promised overpass, of which there is no sign despite a planning permit having been issued several months ago.
"It doesn't take four years to build a bridge. That road is very dangerous... There was a lot of talk at the time but nothing was done, in great disregard for people and safety. In Malta we are very good at closing the stable door once the horse has bolted," said David Housley whose 17-year-old daughter, Emma, died in the accident.
The sentiment was shared by Lucinda Fenech, the sister of 13-year-old Graziella, who was the second victim of the accident in August 2005.
"They haven't built the bridge yet despite the fact that a lot of accidents have happened on the bypass. They have forgotten all about us. It's as if we are living alone, on an island," she said.
The two families have homes in Tal-Blat 2 residential zone, near the Qormi industrial estate.
Before the bypass was built there was a road connecting the zone to Qormi proper on the other side but the major thoroughfare has now cut them off from the town. As things stand they have to take an impractical detour to reach the centre of Qormi on foot. Soon after the accident, which had caused an outcry, speed cameras were installed along the bypass as well as signs telling drivers to watch their speed.
In reply to a parliamentary question in 2006, former Roads Minister Jesmond Mugliette had said a steel footbridge was to be completed in August 2007.
The structure, however, never materialised. The Times has now learnt that a permit for the bridge was issued seven months ago. This was confirmed by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority who said the application was filed by the transport authority in September 2006 and permission granted last April. Questions were sent to the transport authority early yesterday afternoon asking why the process had taken so long and why work had not yet started despite the permit, however, no response was forthcoming by the time of going to print.
The truth is, say the relatives, cars are still a menace because many tend to speed up again as soon as they are at a safe distance from the speed cameras. Like many, including the Qormi mayor, Mr Housley and Ms Fenech were unaware that the permit for the construction of the overpass had been granted in April.
Mayor Jesmond Aquilina said he had not been informed about it even through the local council had lobbied hard for the footbridge. "Let's just hope that it will now be built," he said.
He called on the authorities to find a solution to the situation that was proven to be dangerous by the death of the two teenagers. The girls were crossing the Mrieħel bypass on August 21, 2005, when they were run over by Ivan Cutajar, who was 23 years old at the time.
On Thursday he was found guilty of causing the girls' death by not keeping "a proper look out" and exceeding the speed limit. He was given a two-year jail term suspended for four years and a €4,000 fine. The judgment angered the girls' relatives who criticised it as too lenient.
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E Compagno
Dec 13th 2009, 11:14
This, no doubt, contributes more to the anger felt by the victims' families. The feeling that even the loss of life of their loved ones can't get things done. I'd be very angry too.
I totally agree with Kevin Callus. What are the authorities waiting for to install this bridge? The next Election?
Edwin Mifusd
Dec 13th 2009, 08:32
Of course somthing was done!!!
A speed camera was installed. Pathetic!!
And the result more money for the goverment to waste on Mr. Piano's Phantom Gate by the Opera.
Kevin callus
Dec 12th 2009, 19:40
As I have always been saying these last 4 years, the solution to prevent such fatalities on such roads is some subway and not speed cameras. The only few long stretches of roads we have in Malta are there to speed up and not to have to slow down because of non-sense speed cameras. What the hell is the use of slowing near the camera and then speeding up again? Of course there has to be a speed limit but 90 or 100km/hr would make much more sense than 70. How about installing a speed camera for drivers who drive at 40km/hr on the outer fast lane causing havoc to other drivers?? Speed cameras should be installed near residential areas and not in major roads just as they are in other countries. But such things happen only in Malta!!!
Anthony Mizzi
Dec 12th 2009, 18:33
Maybe the building of the bridge should have been entrusted to whoever installed the revenue rendering speed camera which was fixed within the week after the accident.
Th Gonzi administration takes every opportunity to render such misfortunes into revenue rendering means to sustain the operations of his entities.
One could at least transfer the fees taken from fines and speed camera be put into a Bridge Fund.......
Erin Ciantar
Dec 12th 2009, 15:37
In Malta it always took a tragedy for us to do something about a dangerous situation. This time however even a tragedy couldn't spur us on to solve the problem. Could we actually be getting worse??
c. camilleri
Dec 12th 2009, 15:24
What is the use of bridges, subways,pedestrian crossing, traffic lights etc when most of the public do not make use of them. A clear example is St. Anne subways Floriana.
Anyhow we have to admit that over speeding coupled with negligence, alcohol and perhaps drugs contribute to fatal incidents. Moderate speeding never result in fatal incidents.
Joseph Stafrace
Dec 12th 2009, 14:46
@James Dinmech. Is there an underpass at this location. No. As for the other places you mentioned; if proper railing are fitted along the pavement, people will be disuaded from making the dangerous crossing.
J. Schembri
Dec 12th 2009, 13:36
After this double fatality the Qormi Local Council grabbed the opportunity to install speed cameras on this road , it should follow that the said council should build the promised bridge , after all it is raking in the money from the speed cameras .
Our councils are good at lobbying the government to do this or that , they want the money from the speed cameras installed on the Government roads but don't want the responsibility of maintaining them and rendering them safe.
N.Lawrence
Dec 12th 2009, 13:11
In Malta, the car is GOD. Human life is expendable.
C. Bugeja
Dec 12th 2009, 13:06
Well done for this article as it hits the nail in the head. The Cutajar family, whom I happen to know, are totally destroyed by this tragedy. They are in the same boat like the victims' families. In the past I wrote to the Minister mentioned in this article about the dangers in Tal-Barrani road. Some of my suggestions included a crash barrier along the motorway and a speed camera. In case of an accident, which might be a burst tyre for example, the barrier prevents motorists ending up in the other carriage way which might result in a fatal head-on collision. Despite fatalities and dangers in tal-Barrani, only a speed camera and some signs were placed.
What are the authorities waiting to build the bridge in Imriehel by-pass which MEPA (PA05852/06) approved? What is the Qormi Local Council doing to protect the people of Qormi who daily has to cross the dangerous motorway to go for school, mass and other basic needs to the centre of the village? It is not fair to blame always the driver. It could have happened to any driver. Although I respect the Court decision, the sentence could have been more lenient.
fredmallia
Dec 12th 2009, 12:31
Q. Where is the promised bridge?
A. in the imagination of someone whose work is to promise but do not perform.
James Dimech
Dec 12th 2009, 11:51
There is an underpass through the skate park in Msida - but pedestrians still insist on crossing over Regional Road. There is an underpass in the B'Kara bypass (close to the oratorju), but pedestrians still insist on crossing over the bypass. There is an underpass in St Anne's Street - but people cross the road anyway. All because they do not want to walk a few extra metres to reach the entrance of these underpasses.
It is not enough to blame authorities. Care and common sense is also expected from us drivers and pedestrialns.