Minister complains over interruption of traffic on bypass roads

E. Azzopardi

Dec 15th 2009, 09:43

Well, in this one he is right.

Christopher Ripard

Dec 14th 2009, 22:32

I have been telling ministers to promote 2-wheeled transport since Francis Zammit Dimech in 1987. In 23 years SFA has been done in this direction. Is it really such a difficut concept to grasp? Bikes use less space on the road, are less polluting and use much less parking space when stationary. Of course, one has to have the b * * * * to ensure driving standards that don't scare people off bikes.

Sh * *!!

Now I see the problem.

a brincat

Dec 14th 2009, 22:21

@mike farrugia

well said.


in addition to your comment speed cameras should also be used to fine those drivers who drive slowly during rush hours and on the outer lane!!!!

some accidents are caused because drivers driving slow moving vehicles piss off other drivers!!!!

Mario Vassallo

Dec 14th 2009, 20:48

Dr Austin Gatt, you are absolutely right. Bypasses have now fast become obstacle races. This is very bad planning all too obviously brought about by your people at ADT, self-confessed experts but effectively quoting pseudo science on the media and elsewhere to justify their pig headed decisions. Please open your eyes and see who is creating this mess and clear them away: they are draining our taxes and the results have no positive side to them. You are getting the wrong advice. Be brave and act quickly,now that you are calling a spade a spade.

Mike farrugia

Dec 14th 2009, 20:20

The aim of speed cameras was to reduce fatalities. In my opinion they failed miserably. What we need are better road surfaces and heftier fines for those driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs.

A Cutajar

Dec 14th 2009, 20:18

Well said Minister. I have been saying this for ages now: bypasses/arterial roads should be fully opened, appropriately designed for non-urban traffic and therefore not have obstacles such as pelican lights/zebra crossings and the like hindering traffic flows.

A Cutajar

Dec 14th 2009, 20:08

@ A.Camilleri "...And what about the huge traffic congestion caused by the large roundabout next to bathroom design. A similar problem near Addolorata cemetry was solved when the roundabout was replaced by traffic lights.." You're wrong my friend. Problems there increased with time as a result of this (traffic lights) measure!! Ask any motorist driving through this area during rush hours.. Simply unbelievable how certain drivers manage to fit their 4x4 into the limited space between one vehicle and another!

EPMuscat

Dec 14th 2009, 20:01

Austin, we need to eliminate some incompetent ppl at the ADT and elsewhere. The centre of Attard is a bypass in itself and no one has the proverbial spheres to do something workable about it! There was once a project to create a bypass road from near the Michael Attard petrol station (nr Corinthia) to Wied Incita. Gone with the wind. The planners are dead, drunk or incompetent - replace them asap - ideally before this Christmas! p.s. Expect an accident next to the Attard Government school - an accident that will see school children seriously injured. The responsible wardens are simply following orders - orders that don't make sense. The whole traffic network there needs a major review - quick before we lose a child.

C Bartolo

Dec 14th 2009, 19:28

Fully agree with Dr Austin Gatt. What irritates drivers is that some roads like St Anne Street in Floriana and Triq Dicembru Telettax in Marsa, were originally fitted with either under passages or bridges and still for some unknown reason, these were also fitted with Pelican lights.

Another thing is the location and trigger of speed cameras This should be revised.

If these were actually made with 'our safety' in mind, then most of them are not placed in the right location. For example in the Zejtun By Pass one of the speed cameras is placed after the 'dangerous' curve, so that it takes the photo after you hit the wall at the excessive speed of 60Km/hr.

By the way, why is it that only in Malta, speed cameras are found at the end of tunnels??? Element of surprise?

Minister Gatt, we like your thoughts however we need action and fast, cause we are fed up of waiting 45 minutes for a trip that should take 8 minutes because some local council/authority decided to fit some pelican lights on a bypass.

edgar gatt

Dec 14th 2009, 19:28

We keep forgetting that pedestrians have to look out for traffic especially when crossing a bypass. Yesterday I was driving on this road at 65kph and had somebody crossed the road from behind the hedges on the centre strip, there was no way that I could have avoided that person.

Adrian Cardona

Dec 14th 2009, 19:25

How right you are Austin! These amateurs are making driving a misery and are singlehandedly reducing Malta into one big traffic jam.

J. Borg

Dec 14th 2009, 19:05

Hello........ and who is the Minister under which the Transport Authority falls? and who authorises speed- cameras to be placed? is it a matter of the left hand not knowing what the right is up to dear Austin? with speed cameras on by-passes set at 60........it is quicker to drive through village cores!

H Psaila

Dec 14th 2009, 19:03

Well said. Driving in some areas has become absolutely frustrating what with with the narrowing of roads and sleeping policeman cropping up everywhere.

A.Magri

Dec 14th 2009, 19:03

So now tell us, why is there still no footbridge after 4 years?

mario gelle

Dec 14th 2009, 19:01

Either Austin Gatt owns a chopper or he passes Mriehel bypass asleep. As far as it stands, there is no zebra crossing from mid traffic lights to qormi flyover and thats half a mile for sure. Correct me if I am wrong.

A Camilleri

Dec 14th 2009, 18:59

This is the most sensible thing I've heard on traffic management in years. No one ever mentions traffic flows. On the contrary we get German experts designing one lane roads where two lanes could be fitted. Roads like Naxxar Road Lija could easily be converted into two lanes if the inner sides are adeqately tarmaced and the lanes are adequately painted. The same applies to the road leading from Naxxar to San Gwann where at the very least, parts of the road which are wide enough could be marked for overtaking slow traffic. As it is now everyone has to drive at the lowest speed. And what about the huge traffic congestion caused by the large roundabout next to bathroom design. A similar problem near Addolorata cemetry was solved when the roundabout was replaced by traffic lights. Managing traffic flows should be a priority in our congested roads.

Andrew Cachia

Dec 14th 2009, 18:56

Management by crisis??

laurence schembri

Dec 14th 2009, 18:46

Well, do away with them if they are hindering the flow of traffic. I can understand the St Anne Street T/L is a different matter, but cameras and Zebra Crossings on a bypass as you say, are ludicrous.

Joseph Buttigieg

Dec 14th 2009, 18:42

Couldn't Gatt answer a a simple question without being so arrogant?