Over 475 residential roads in 49 towns and villages would be redone at a cost of €14 million by next year, Public Dialogue Parliamentary Secretary Chris Said announced yesterday.

Among these, 27 roads – 19 in Żebbuġ and eight in Xagħra, Gozo – would be resurfaced through a public-private partnership agreement, Dr Said told a press conference.

Over 200 roads in 26 localities would be revamped through a €7 million investment in a public-private partnership, with a large chunk of the money coming from the government.

The government would also be paying almost €500,000 to reconstruct Vjal il-Ħelsien, in Żebbuġ, even though it fell under the responsibility of the local council, he said.

Dr Said pointed out that a lot of progress had been made on a number of reconstructed roads, especially since the government had allocated €14 million through difference schemes.

He was replying to Labour local council spokesman Stefan Buontempo, who, during the press conference, called on the government to keep its promises. He also appealed for “effective” coordination between all stakeholders.

Over 50 per cent of the roads the government promised would be ready by 2008 were not, Dr Buontempo said. He insisted that the road works should be done well and meet deadlines. Furthermore, it should be clear who was responsible for any damages incurred.

“At the end of the day, the residents always have to come first,” he said.

Dr Said pointed out that most of the road works that had not been completed did not fall under his remit and were the responsibility of Transport Malta. “Transport Malta is responsible for the new roads while local councils are responsible for residential roads,” he explained.

In last year’s and this year’s Budget, the government had allocated about €10 million for local councils to use on roads.

Between 2008 and 2011, over 949 residential roads would have been revamped or reconstructed. Of these Transport Malta rebuilt 177 and would rebuild another 137 by early next year.