Juan Ameen
Almost 500 residential roads to be redone at a cost of €14 million
The government is paying €500,000 to reconstruct Vjal il-Ħelsien in Żebbuġ, which should be ready by July 2011. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi
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.
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Gerard Cassar
Sep 4th 2010, 16:51
Repeating the same news particularly about roads being brought up to standard gives one the idea that the P.N. Government is building roads on the sea. First Minister Gatt mentioned 400 roads, at the coast of millions (40 m ?)then someone most probably Minister of Finance mentioned some 400 other, Chris Said other hundreds and on the 2 September another 500 roads.
At this rate there will not be left a single road not up to standard.
Dream on Gonzi
Jason Azzopardi
Sep 3rd 2010, 01:54
And where is Ramla Road at Nadur. This road leading to Ramla is in terrbile shape and it's the road where Chris lives on. What is he trying to prove by not having this road a much needed fix. WE are not impressed.
George Debono
Sep 2nd 2010, 15:13
George Debono
CONTINUES.....................
Is it not time we realise that the kind of roads we are building are out-dated, unsocial and unhealthy because they favour car use and discourage people and children from using the road?
When will we have (residential) roads which are designed on modern lines and based on the "Home zone" system, as is being adopted in progressive countries? – such roads are more welcoming : they are paved or cobbled, they have trees to provide shade and benches here and there; but no pavement - cars can park or drive along them but giving priority to pedestrian children or cyclists. In this way the road is given back to pedestrians and provides a social space which can be enjoyed. Ppeople (AND children) will then be encouraged to walk along them?
This is all discussed in paras393 – 420 (& 297, 298) of the Think Tank report “Towards a Low Carbon Society - the Nation's Health, Energy Security and Fossil Fuels”(available at http://www.tppi.org.mt/cms/index.php/reports ).
A copy of this report was presented to key Government personell and, (I believe) to Dr Said personally when he met the member of the think tank some months ago
G
George Debono
Sep 2nd 2010, 15:03
Dr Said I hope you get to read this.
First of all it is a good thing that roads are being upgraded but it is sad if roads continue to be built only for road vehicles and do not take into account that roads are a public space.
Is it not time that the interests of pedestrians children and cyclists are taken into account and catered for. If we take the road I live in as an example, the pavements are narrow (about 3 feet or 90 cm) so that people walking along the road have to walk in single file and mothers pushing prams are often to be seen sharing the roadway with cars because the pavement is so constricted. This kind of road does not encourage people (and children) to come out and walk.
My question is: are those roads in residential areas going the be built in exactly the same way as the successive authoritiers have been building them for the last 100 years or so? That is: a dreary road with central asphalted strip (as wide as possible to allow for cars) and narrow pavements which discourage people from walking in the road?
CONTINUES.............................
E Engerer
Sep 2nd 2010, 13:48
I think it's about time the roads in Sliema are done! Then, they have the cheek to fill all the roads with sleeping police!
T Camilleri
Sep 2nd 2010, 11:20
Included as roads are a lot of alleys just two metres wide if at all and a few metres long. Just think how could one road to take the example in Gozo costs several millions and now 500 roads cost only €14 million? Is it that as I said (and I am correct) that small alleys are also called roads, or that other roads that cost so much are a means to funnel funds for something else? I think that I am correct in both cases.
Mr B J Simmons
Sep 2nd 2010, 11:09
This sounds like good news, but from previous experience I do have to wonder about the quality of preparation and finish.
Let's hope it is done by competent companies and workmen in a professional and efficient way to a high standard.
Malta has had poor roads in the main for so many years, it is time for a quality job to be done if so much money is not to be wasted.
I look forward to being able to ride over some smooth surfaces on my next visit, rather than wait for the Queen to make another visit!