Pyrotechnics factory still lacks access despite safety concerns
Għargħur residents have for years been calling on the authorities to widen the road that leads to the San Bartolomeo fireworks factory, site of a recent explosion, as the passage is too narrow for emergency vehicles to go through. Three weeks ago, part...
Għargħur residents have for years been calling on the authorities to widen the road that leads to the San Bartolomeo fireworks factory, site of a recent explosion, as the passage is too narrow for emergency vehicles to go through.
Three weeks ago, part of the factory exploded and two men were lucky to escape unhurt. However, no rescue vehicles made it to the fire, which burned for at least three hours.
The blast revealed the residents' frustration at the limited access to the factory building.
Għargħur mayor Mario Gauci said many promises to widen the road had been made by the government but nothing had materialised so far. "We are lucky no one was injured in the explosion."
Only one road, St Catherine's, leads to the factory and is wide enough to allow one car to pass. "But large vehicles, such as trucks, cannot go through," Mr Gauci said.
Two years ago, the Resources Ministry submitted an application to the planning authority to widen the road. This would involve moving the rubble walls and a careful examination of the plants in the area, a government spokesman said. The application is being examined by the planning authority's Environment Protection Directorate.
A ministry spokesman said that if approved the application would lead to better access for all. The initiative has been undertaken in conjunction with Transport Malta Residents, the council and the San Bartolomeo fireworks committee have been calling on the authorities to widen the access road to allow at least two cars to drive through side by side. The issue dates back to 2002 when an inspection carried out by the police on the factory revealed there was no access for fire engines. One month later, in October, then President Guido de Marco had signed an acquisition of land declaration to buy land leading to the fireworks factory to widen the road.
In 2009, the council wrote to the transport authority, now Transport Malta, reminding it that widening St Catherine's Road had been promised but to no avail.