Mother disgusted by decision to abandon footbridge
The mother of a girl who died five years ago while crossing the Mrieħel bypass has expressed her disgust at Transport Malta’s decision to shelve plans for a footbridge over the road because it is financially unfeasible.
Marlene Housley speaks of her “hurt” at the authority’s justification to abandon plans for a long-promised footbridge on the premise that only 42 people a week cross the busy road where her 17-year-old daughter, Emma, and her 13-year-old friend, Graziella, were run over.
Residents who live on the industrial estate side of the bypass have no safe way of crossing the road to make it to Qormi’s centre. The girls were crossing the road to visit a sick friend.
“Losing my daughter was my worst nightmare... my pain is forever. Now I read in the newspaper that the long-promised footbridge where my beautiful daughter Emma lost her life is not economically feasible.
“Shame on the Roads Minister and Transport Malta! That is as if they are telling me that my daughter’s life was worthless. Do they have any idea how much that hurts? No, I’m sure they don’t! How many more deaths will make it feasible to build a footbridge,” Ms Housley writes in The Times today.
Transport Malta has a planning permit to build a footbridge but the authority has re-thought its plans after studies showed that an average of 42 people per week cross the road. Instead, the authority said it was considering installing a pelican light crossing on the busy artery.
This option was criticised by roads expert Simon Micallef Stafrace who said installing lights on this road could cause more problems.
Readers who commented on timesofmalta.com also criticised the authority’s decision, most of them taking umbrage at the fact that economic considerations were given priority over human life.
Some suggested an underpass as a more suitable alternative with others criticising the fact that the 80 kilometres per hour road would see the speed limit reduced if pelican lights were introduced.
Qormi mayor Jesmond Aquilina questions the credibility of the authority’s justification that only 42 people cross the road and insists human life could not be quantified in monetary terms.
“If the pelican crossing lights provide a safe passage for pedestrians and drivers alike I will welcome them but I have my doubts on how safe they will be,” Mr Aquilina said, insisting it was Transport Malta’s responsibility to ensure the road was safe.
When the bypass was built 20 years ago it cut right through a housing estate ostracising a community of some 300 people.
107 Comments
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m.farrugia
Sep 7th 2010, 04:33
dawk kollha li qed jiddefendu li dan il-bridge ghandu jinbena jew huma xi uwhud minn dawk ix-xufiera li jaddu min din it-triq sparati u allura iridu dan il-pont sabiex ikomplu ghaddejja straxnati jew inkella qed jappoġjaw lil min qieghed isuq la hanzira
George Debono
Sep 6th 2010, 22:47
M Muscat
RE "So if the road is a public open space that people can walk as well in, why did we do pavements?
well, theoretically yes. This is now the system in urban surroundings (google up woonerf, home zone, wohnstrasse etc)"
On a main road like the bypass it is decent to put a number of pedestrian crossings to make crossing safer and inhibit drivers with a heavy R foot from driving at dangerous speeds...
Capisch ?
G
With your statement you suggests, that I as a driver I can drive on pavements too because thats an open space for public too!
Geez!
George Debono
Sep 6th 2010, 22:43
M Muscat
RE - I hope none of your family owns a car!
We own TWO cars --- and, ----------wait for it, ------- 4 bicycles which we use for short journeys.
Allora:
I hope you family owns a bicycle which we use for short journeys ...
:-)
Capisch ?
G
George Debono
Sep 5th 2010, 16:20
NickBorg
RE your “edict” to pedestrians of the Estate:“……………..pelican crossing on a main road.............not the answer.......Traffic is slow enough in Malta………….”
Let me blast you with some figures:
As of 2008 Malta had 2295 vehicles per square mile – if we take the USA, there are 0.76 cars per square mile.
In Malta there is one vehicle per 1.4 persons – this is one of the highest in the world.
more than the USA at 1.32 cars per person. OK?
So if there are that many cars around and everybody and their brother uses a car even to travel 200M to church it is little wonder that traffic is slow. And it is NOT pedestrian crossings – these only impede traffic flow for a few seconds while people cross.
Nick, It is time you guys got rid of this motor-chauvinist attitude. The road DOESN'T belong to you but to everybody. This is a crowded island and we all have to consider each others’ needs AND safety. What you say is utter selfish rubbish – traffic is slow NOT because of the occasional zebra crossing but because we have a huge concentration of cars in our small space.
M Muscat
Sep 5th 2010, 23:21
I hope none of your family owns a car!
If all the cars that are mentioned are to get out, we just dont move from one place to another!
There are a lot (seriously a lot!) cars that are registered and still not used, or used very rarely! Some of them are used only in Summer. Others maybe in weekends!
George Debono
Sep 5th 2010, 15:29
>>>>MORE
I would like to add that comments of such as “............ After all, the road is for cars and any pedestrian must be the first to ensure his/her safety.............” from selfish motorists - and especially comments from one MrJ Farrugia- are abhorrent and disgusting. To this one can only say that the road does not belong to motorists – it is a public space which belongs to everybody and more respect and consideration should be given to other road users such as pedestrians by motorists.
g
M Muscat
Sep 5th 2010, 23:17
So if the road is a public open space that people can walk as well in, why did we do pavements?
With your statement you suggests, that I as a driver I can drive on pavements too because thats an open space for public too!
Geez!
George Debono
Sep 5th 2010, 15:24
Iro Schembri
Iro – RE "...................Anyway, one option is the zebra crossing with solar powered flashing lights operated by push button and speed humps at 10 meters and 40 meters from the crossing both sides. Its cheap and a sure way to slow traffic down......".
I fully agree – Zebra crossings as you describe are the answer to traffic calming and pedestrian safety in this situation. This stretch of road is only about one mile from end to end – adding a speed limit would not make any difference to traveling time….it is different to the situation in large countries where speed is necessary because distances to be travelled are hundreds of miles. Speed in Malta is just a buzz - with the piddly distances we need to travel it is not of importance – Zebra crossings will slow traffic but not impede it.
In my opinion it is time that Malta transport T (and, it seems, the Sydney Authorities!) start to give priority to pedestrians and not only to cars. I will be writing a letter to this effect for publication in Times.
MORE>>
Nick Borg
Sep 5th 2010, 15:00
To the residents of the Estate.
A pelican crossing on a main road like this is definitely not the answer. Traffic is slow enough in Malta without creating japms in one of the few open stretches.
What the residents should do if they really want a solution is to organise regular crossings and get Lollypop men stopping traffic so they can do so. Once they have caused enough inconvenience then MTA will have to rethink their "Ignore them and everyone will soon forget" attitude.
The only way to get anything done is to force MTA's hand. If not, then live with it (or die trying to cross!)
Iro Schembri
Sep 5th 2010, 13:39
Councils and government departments all over the world look at numbers first. I have been trying for 12 years here in Sydney to get a zebra crossing over a 4 lane road to a primary school. All I got was a refuge crossing!
Anyway, one option is the zebra crossing with solar powered flashing lights operated by push button and speed humps at 10 meters and 40 meters from the crossing both sides. Its cheap and a sure way to slow traffic down.
What all councils listen too is an organised protest by locals writing in volume to their local member in council. Invite the media and splash it in the local paper and if your lucky, on tv.
God bless you Marlene Housley and keep on your quest to help other people be it young and old to cross safely.
George Debono
Sep 5th 2010, 12:31
J Micallef
Re “For a crossing to be done in a major road there are 3 options................. The cheapest and of least hassle is...........................……………pelican lights,
I agree with you – but with one reservation:
Why not well-signposted zebra crossings with a raised platform, central refuge and rumble strip to warn motorists of the crossing?
There are reasons for this:
1) Pedestrian crossings controlled by traffic lights (pelican crossings) encourage faster driving speeds. A visible green traffic light at a distance tempts drivers to speed up to catch the light whereas well-signposted zebra pedestrian crossings with prominent Belisha beacon signs and road markings induce car drivers to drive more carefully at a slower speed.
2) A zebra crossing with no traffic lights also exerts a traffic calming effect and, on balance, decreases stop-start driving.
3) A dangerous situation can also arise if the lights are out of order. Seeing no red light, drivers do not slow down or do not stop to allow pedestrians to cross as they would at a zebra crossing.
I think that 3-4 simple, highly visible, well-signposted zebra crossings would be better
If there was uninterrupted fast flowing traffic (like at Msida) then, yes, a pelican crossing
Steven Calascione
Sep 5th 2010, 11:41
In hindsight, a subway would be far better than a footbridge, particularly one that is more amenable to cyclists. The general area is in need of an upgrade so perhaps this could be coupled with some landscaping or better still, a garden with running water, benches, a kiosk etc.
James Vella Clark
Sep 5th 2010, 09:03
Reading some of the below comments makes me sick. Like this certain Dave Ciappara who just thinks that blaming the two girls for such a stupid action is insensitive and making all the rest of us Maltese look like ignorant bigoted Maltese and xenophobic just because a person with a seemingly foreign name expressed a different opinion. Did he need to insult back and going totally out of context? This attitude and lack of mature arguing makes me sick.
I pity this lady, not for having lost her child but for having being used purely to create yet another sensational story. Of course a parent is never going to blame his or her child even when the child acts in an insensible way. But hey what about us drivers who respect the rules and keep our four-wheeled vehicles where they're meant to stay: on the road?! Had this young driver hit the girls on the pavement i would have understood the anger and the frustration but this young man was driving his car like all of us do - on the road.
Why can't us drivers drive with our minds at rest. I only pity the boy.
R Grech
Sep 5th 2010, 14:39
@ James Vella Clark: I am a motorist like you, but since as you said they were not hit on a pavement but on the road, you think the motorist had the right to overspeed like he was doing? If he was driving slowly he would have not killed them, but the brakes, the way these girls were killed it showed that he was overspeeding! I am not saying that the girls had not their share of blame, but the driver wasn't driving according to the normal speed either!
M Muscat
Sep 5th 2010, 01:44
Dicembru 13 (int u sejjer lej l belt) hemm l lights bix jaqsmu n nies minnom!
Wihed imigrant iddecida li flok jistena l lights, jaqbad u jaqsam u gibed al go fija. hazadni u kexkixni!
Ftit sijat wara kont qijed t triq tal marsa fej ihobbu jehlu t trakijiet mal bridge u nara wihed bidu l fuq jigri fnofs tat triq bix jaqsam. li skuwzi..qasam ezatt min taht l bridge!
Umbd min jehel? ix xufira! Proset! Kull minhu fit triq huwa responsabli ta emilu! Hekk ma emmx kif taqsam go by-pass bhal dik, jew tihu triq itwal u addi min taht l flyover, jew inkela iftah ajnejk sewwa, u lesti ha tigri! l-qbija kullhadd bijdu igijba lhaga!
Hekk int ha taqsam oqod atent. specjalment triq bhal dik! Jin kont nahdem lemmek u wara xol kin ikolli immur lej qormi, li kiku kont naqsam l by-pass kont nasal b5min iktar kmini, imma le, alfej bix nigwadanja 5mins min hajti, inkun qed nisokra li nitlef hajti? u kont naddi min taht il flyover! so what? issa daw suppost jafu iktar minni ax exu hemmek!! certu nies sens commun ma jafux xinhu u jistenew kollox mant l gvern!
J Micallef
Sep 4th 2010, 20:07
For a crossing to be done in a major road there are 3 options. a) pelican lights, b) a foot bridge, c) subway tunnel. The cheapest and of least hassle is the first option. The safest and most expensive is the last option.
In Malta the government seems to be very concerned about safety... in fact most major roads are now full of pelican light crossings and subways (like tal-Bombi) have been shut down and/or without lighting.
Felix Salerno
Sep 4th 2010, 15:58
In Mriehel bypass there are 2 dangers.One for the pedestrian crossing and one for those cars going to the industrial zone.So neither the bridge nor the underpass will eliminate all the danger.
In my opinion TM should install traffic lights including the zebra crossing.This will control the traffic going to the industrial area and facilitates pedestrian crossing.
To avoid traffic congestions these traffic lights should be synchronised with those near MFSC
A. Mizzi
Sep 4th 2010, 15:44
First of all sympathies with Ms. Housley. I am more than sure that the decision was nothing personal or that the life of her daughter was worthless.
Second ..coming beack to the argument of the decision. So, with the same silly argument of Transport Malta, ramps for easy access for persons with a disability should have never been made ? Also with the same silly argument, treatments fo rare ilnesses should not be given at Mater Dei ? In year 2010 every single person with his single little problems should be heard and taken into consideration. That's the aim of US paying taxes.
So if it's not feasable spending so much money for a bridge (which is needed for SAFETY), Transport Malta should provide a proper shuttle service. Maybe this is more feasable.
We should take into consideration, that these people lived in this area BEFORE the road was done, so T.M, should have made good for any inconveniences caused to these people. I am ready NOTto see Valletta or any other bastion rehabilitated, and know that the money was spent to safeguard the life of YOUTHS.
This mother lost her daughter.PleaseTake care of how you express your opinions.
Joe Xuereb
Sep 4th 2010, 15:42
In foreign parts anywhere - even in the often-denigrated third-world Turkey - footbridges are an integral feature of highways, especially when these run through residential areas. So a footbridge it should be. An underpass has no advantage over a bridge. It attracts vandals and vandalism and worse. In no time at all it becames an 'art-gallery'-cum-toilet.
Build a footbridge. Cheaper, safer, more aesthetic and with no long-term disruption to traffic.
Joe Fenech
Sep 4th 2010, 14:53
So the government has money to splash on stupid projects, but doesn't have money for very basic infrastructures.
In such a road one needs a SUBWAY !!
Jean Paul Micallef
Sep 4th 2010, 12:26
Is a footbridge the only solution considered. What about a tunnel like that across the road before floriana, doors? Is it more expensive or the services passing parrallel to the road cannot allow this?
Marianna Galea Xuereb
Sep 4th 2010, 10:15
".... only 42 people a week cross the busy road ...." But that is only because it is so dangerous to do so. Many more are probably using cars just to avoid having to cross this road and so being forced by the "Planning authorities" and decision makers at Transport Malta to add to Malta's fuel and noise pollution problems - not to mention wasting fuel. I bet many more people would be using this bridge and blessing the relevant decision makers for it - if it gets constructed properly. Is a functional bridge so really much more expensive than an underpass?
Thanks Mrs. Housley for bringing this to public attention. I do like your shrine and I'm sure that it gives you spiritual comfort but please will you place it away from your microwave oven? This appliance needs to have good air circulation all around it and it looks like the pictures based on the microwave and resting against the wall are reducing the air circulation behind your microwave.
God bless you Dear for working for the common good and may your daughter and her friend rest in peace.
John Bezzina
Sep 4th 2010, 08:49
And now, to add insult to injury they are setting up new crash barriers, and guess where they are placing them..... on the pavement (the little there is). Now, the numerous persons that use this road for their daily walk or run, have to go down from the pavement and walk/run on the road. While I am at it, I need to mention the numerous signs that are smack in the middle of the pavement, with all the problems this brings to all those using the road, especially anyone needing to go up or down this road with a pushchair.
Well done to all those that came up with this ingenious idea (NOT!!) All you needed to do was move it 30 cm and place it on the very end on the road, where it pavement starts! so as to keep the pavement free from any obstruction.
Paul Pace
Sep 4th 2010, 01:00
Hafna argumenti dwar ghandiex tkun bridge inkella subway etc etc.... u imbghad jekk hiex gustifikata li jitefqu dawk il- flus fuqha meta 43 persuna biss se juzawha (jekk jiddecidu li juzawha!!
Nahseb fit toroq taghna ghandna hafna izjed perikli li l-awtroritajiet qed jilqawlom biss permezz ta speed cameras... forsi ghax dawn ihallu qliegh??!! Mux izjed taghmel sens li jitwahhlu central strips sura f kull main road u b hekk nevitaw il- bicca l- kbira tal incidenti Head On li hafna drabi jkunu fatali?
U iva... ghandu jkun hemm mod kif wiehed jaqsam it-triq minghajr periklu! U tajjeb ukoll li min jiddecidi li jaqsam b mod irresponsabbli (ovvjament jekk ikun hemm alternattiva inqas perikoluza) wkoll jigi mharrek!!! Ghax m humiex biss is-sewwieqa li jikkawzaw incidenti imma anki il- pedestrians.
Anabel Mifsud
Sep 4th 2010, 13:44
Can't agree more... can't stand hearing about more head on accidents happening where innocent people get hurt or die innocently. We build new roads inviting high speed driving... i know it shouldn't be the case but we all know that s reality and after a while we here about an accident that happened... THOSE IN CHARGE SHOULD MAKE SURE THESE ROADS HAVE CENTRE STRIPS or something to avoid head on collissions.
P Debono
Sep 3rd 2010, 19:14
Can't they spare a few thousands of euro from their multi-million Parliament project just to build a simple footbridge? Of course not, their ego and their pockets are far more important than the life of another human being. Shame on you all.
cHARLES MASSA
Sep 3rd 2010, 18:28
Eknomija minn fuq il poplu iridu.................... ghax ma rawx kemm nefaq l ex chairman tal Enemalta bil credit card tal kumpanija u pagamenti approvati mil ministru tal finanzi
antoine ferrito
Sep 3rd 2010, 17:33
Was the same feasibility study used before buying the so much needed Dar Malta?
Claire Busuttil
Sep 3rd 2010, 16:23
Bridge u mhux bridge, kemm hawn min lanqas jaf x ihni sensittivita!!!
Sinjura, nispera li xi darba issib ftit serhan tal mohh, wara dak kollhu li ghaddejt minnu. Il hajja taf tkun kiefra hafna.
o.galea
Sep 3rd 2010, 15:40
a bridge is a waste of money..... the road is too busy and it is a major artery used by v.large vehicles.....it would have to be higher than the one in Marsa !
a comfortable underpass is the way to go. that way even people with pushchairs can use it.
having said all this... it won't stop people crossing the road just the same.... but at least they'd have a safe option
J Farrugia
Sep 3rd 2010, 15:06
Mela issa ejja nqajmu l-poplu kollu u kull min mietlu xi had b'incident tat-traffiku nappellaw lill-Ewropa biex taghmlilna bruidges kull fejn hemm xi bypass. Nigu tajjeb, ghax tkellmet wahda qamu kollha. Il-veru poplu tal-biki. Fakkarni fl-istorja ta' Giga. Meta ghamlet li ghamlet kulhadd ried joqtolha fit-triq lejni l-qorti. meta giet kundannata ghal mewt kulhadd qabad il-karta u lapes u kiteb lill-Gvernatur biex jehlishielha. Poplu ta' oqbra mbajda. Il-bridge mhemmx bzonnu. u dahhluha go raskom li hadd mhu ser jonfoq il-miljuni biex jaghmel bridge hemmhekk.
DZammit
Sep 3rd 2010, 15:22
Jekk inti tghidli li toqghod f'dik iz-zona forsi naccetta dak li qed tghid il-bqija hu pacenzja u prova uza ton naqra iktar konsiderevoli. Nisperali minitex xi wiehed li certa progetti bla bzonn taqbel maghhom
Carla Mifsud
Sep 3rd 2010, 17:41
J Farrugia kieku l-insensittività tieghek u n-nuqqas ta' rispett lejn il-memorja ta' dawk li mietu u n-niket ta' dawk li hallew warajhom tixhel kieku m'ghandna l-ebda problema bil-power station Farrugia. Very ghandek kuxjenza harxa biex trid titqammel ghal pont li jsalva l-hajjiet imma ma tghid xejn dwar it-tberbieq bla razan inkluzi fuqw il-Parlament il-gdid, it-teatru bla saqaf, il-pont li ma jqassal ghal imkien u hafna progetti bla sens tal-gvern nazzjonalista Farrugia. Isthi jekk taf tisthi.
Vincent Galea
Sep 3rd 2010, 14:46
No one should ever have to loose a child. Never.
Lord, hasn't she suffered enough ?
jan willem van avendonk
Sep 3rd 2010, 16:58
She lost a child because the child was silly enough to try to cross a 4 lane road ?!!! no one is at fault over there except the girls fullstop. If i had been the driver i would have sued them for shock and damage to the car , not get blamed for their ignorance .
Dave Ciappara
Sep 3rd 2010, 17:46
jan willem van avendonk how insensitive jan. Typical of the netherlands and what they did in other countries and how they treated the natives.
Joe Busuttil
Sep 3rd 2010, 13:53
I would have liked all these bloggers to have offered their sympathies to Mrs Housley for her immense loss first, and then comment on the subject. Everyone should feel disgusted like this lady at the decision to abandon the footbridge construction. Read her opinion on the back page of the paper.
D Psaila
Sep 4th 2010, 13:12
My sympathy goes out to Mrs Housley, a very unfortunate mother indeed.
Joe Busuttil, here are no bloggers, these are just commentators. Stop using the incorrect term please. Thanks.
John Demanuele
Sep 3rd 2010, 13:06
If there is only one person crossing the road he has every right to be able to cross safely.
Jan Willem van Avendonk
Sep 3rd 2010, 12:37
A bridge is useless,as they would stil have to walk to the roundabout near the Wurth to enter Qormi. Instead of a bridge they should walk to the roundabout ,cross the 2 exits , and voila you are in Qormi . No need for a fantastic bridge or a underground pass!
Its common sense , you have to go that direction anyway to enter Qormi, so cross at the end not at the begining ;)
John Bugeja
Sep 3rd 2010, 12:55
The real reason for not constructing the bridge is not the low frequesncy of pedestrians but preassure from the industry - aa foothbridge would automatically enforce height limits on transportation and this being a major artery will create probs. See what keeps happeneing in Marsa. Sad, sad, sad ... rather than ensure respect for the rule of law, we see ways to look the other way and lower standards.
B Bonello
Sep 4th 2010, 08:08
@Jan Willem van Avendonk. You are mistaken my friend, their is a narrow path that leads right to the centre of qormi near the spead camera. It takes only couple to reach qormi from there.
Dennis Zammit
Sep 3rd 2010, 12:17
@ Jesmond Micallef
Why don't you ask for special funds and do the bridge in the name of Qormi Local Council? It is easy just sitting around and complaining. This bypass was built at least 20 years ago . . . during the Labour administration in 1996/1998, still nothing was done. Had a bridge been built in those 22 months, these children would not have been run over (if they would have used the bridge).
Jesmond Micallef
Sep 3rd 2010, 12:32
Who is "just sitting around and complaining" ?
Pat Sammut
Sep 3rd 2010, 12:52
Dennis Zammit it's rich of you and PN supporters to expect PL to have done everything in a few months when your PN has been in power for more than 20 years and did nothing about it.
DZammit
Sep 3rd 2010, 14:36
Dear Mr Zammit,
From your comments it seems that you are only trying to defend the government here. For you it seems that the mistake was done during the short labour government and not in the other 18 years!!! Poor you.
As regards to Qormi local council may I point out that, the council has been trying to convince the central authorities to build the bridge for quite a long time. The buiulding of a bridge was accepted by Mr Censu Galea and Mr Jesmond Mugliette (previous PN transport ministers) in fact even the necessary MEPA permits were issued. It is only now that TM has changhed idea. May I also point out that if the local council tries to do any changes in such a road, it will be fined by the central authorities for having performed works on a road which is not under its responsability. Hope you understand this at least.
Twannie Chircop
Sep 3rd 2010, 17:48
DZammit another good reason apart from the rampant corruption to delete TM from the face of the earth.
Carmel Falzon
Sep 3rd 2010, 17:59
Dennis Zammit you do not even know your history Dennis. 20 years ago there was a PN government.
N.Galea
Sep 3rd 2010, 12:15
The problem is that not one of the ministers or opposition party or their relatives live there. So why take care for "common" people? They are no special or important to the country,
right?
This is how we are treated. Just because a few people cross the road, why waste money? Wasting lives does not count, but money, money, money....So much money is wasted in too many unimportant items and festivities which could do with much less. Can these people in high places start thinking of others? In this case money is no waste. Lives are wasted. Even God himself had told Noah that if he finds even 1 good person He would not destroy the city, and we, say "No, 42 is very few" I tell you 42 is a lot as having thousands cross the road because every life counts.
joe scerri
Sep 3rd 2010, 12:12
Action will be taken when the next victim happens to be the son or daughter of some big head.
James Dimech
Sep 3rd 2010, 12:11
I understand emma's mother's pain.
However at the same time footbridges or underpasses will not cure the ills of a society which is reckless onb the whole.
We have an underpass (skate park) next to the University round about. Yet people still insist on crossing Regional Road!
We have an underpass next to the oratorju in the Birkirkara bypass. Yet people still insist on crossing the bypass !
We have countless zebra crossings... But people who are a few metres away from them do not bother using them - they just cross from wherever they are to wherever they want to go to !
its not only about the authorities. It is our attitude in general
Tiziana Cassar
Sep 3rd 2010, 13:43
True, but not everyone omits the subway either. Back when I was still at university I always used the subway, and never crossed the road.
B.Attard
Sep 3rd 2010, 11:37
That's what we call safety and security!!!
Better install a speed camera at Hal-Far Road limits Bugia. Only the bent road 50 metres further up from Caribbean restaurant can remember how many persons ended in ITU so far in these last 4 years. One person is still in ITU battling for her life after last Satuday's night accident, although nothing was announced on the media
C. Grech
Sep 3rd 2010, 11:25
Whilst understanding the mother's dissappointmebt regarding the matter, let's be realistic. If 43 people cross the road every week, how many of these are willing to go up a flight of stairs of not less than a storey (given the Marsa one) and then go down again.
Sometmes we are tempted not to use the zebra lines 'cos they may be a couple of metres away let alone go up all those stairs.
Jesmond Micallef
Sep 3rd 2010, 11:49
Thats not the argument here !! People are free to do whatever they want however risky their actions are !! People should know better...
The point here is that the infrastructure itself should promote 100% safety at all times and economics does not fall into this equation most especially here, on such a very busy dual carriage way.
I witness people using electric wheelchairs very often in Nürnberg. Whether its older people who cannot walk for too long or others with some form of physical restriction. Its a complete joy to see these people come out in the open and enjoy life like anyone else.
C. Grech
Sep 3rd 2010, 14:49
@ Jesmond Micallef
I agree economics should not be an issue on safety. The government is hammering on all enterprises to comply with health and safety issue (at their expense) so he should set the example.
However, again, can you imagine elderly people (...with a wheel chair) using this bridge ( or are we to instal a lift as well?.). I work there, I know what I'm saying. Besides I do not want to offend anyone but crossing from that road during normal hours is no issue. Anzi a bridge could obstruct the drivers views at least those of the most considerate ones.
I do not sypathize with any political party but I believe some people have been trying to take advantage on such a tragic accident.
Stephen Compagno
Sep 3rd 2010, 11:21
A bridge will be built eventually, once a few more people die while crossing. That or if a VIP like the pope comes to malta and wants to cross that road.
Roberta Zammit
Sep 3rd 2010, 11:03
Flus biex jaxxalaw il-pampauni tat-Trasport Malta ghandhom kemm iridu imma biex iharsu s-sigurta' u hajjet in-nies m'ghandhomx. Ipokriti.
B Sant
Sep 3rd 2010, 11:03
this is the type of decsions u end up with when the decision makers are all political appointees
Matthew Sant
Sep 3rd 2010, 11:02
I think that counting how many people cross the road is the wrong approach. One needs to count how many people would cross if they installed a footbridge. If Ryanair measured the number of people who flew to and from Malta they wouldn't have opened here. Instead they surveyed how that number would increase given a cheaper alternative. This is not advanced statistics or marketing, but basic common sense. However the current statistic warrants an investment because a life lost every x years due to poor safety is one life too many.
Jesmond Micallef
Sep 3rd 2010, 11:01
Well, it seems that urban pedestrianisation is very natural considering that no such fast roads go right through this compacted human habitat such as the Cottonera area. But then, a town split in two by a fast dual carriageway seems not enough to promote pedestrianisation !!
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20100903/local/a-regeneration-tale-of-three-cities
Economics does NOT make sense all the time, dear Government of Malta !!
Jesmond Micallef
Sep 3rd 2010, 11:29
Mrs. Marlene Housley, I am very sorry for your very tragic loss. May I suggest that you petition the Government as I totally acknowledge your grief and also fully subscribe to making this road 100% safer to cross for this community of 300 people split in two by this busy artery.
I'll take this point further and ask, how do electric wheelchair users cross this road ? I would have tought that access to people with "restrictive" mobility has a priorty to the Government.
J.Camileri
Sep 3rd 2010, 10:50
Flus ghat-tejatru bla saqaf ghandhom imma. Pajjiz b'amministrazzjoni redikola ghall ahhar.
Antoinette Cefai
Sep 3rd 2010, 10:36
Surely some sort of action MUST be taken especially when considering that the road was built after the developement of the housing estate. It is then even more of a responsability of teh authorities for such an action.
Marisa Grixti
Sep 20th 2010, 14:10
Agreed!!!!!
Antoinette Cefai
Sep 3rd 2010, 10:35
"When the bypass was built 20 years ago it cut right through a housing estate ostracising a community of some 300 people." - this speaks of itself abt the element of responsability our dearly Transport Malta holds, when planning road netwrks.
furtehrmore, I believe that a pelican crossing would NOT ease crossing because we all know that the Maltese ppl find it so hard to walk a few meters more and cross safely, so I think this will back fire.
An underpass- Is this the type of subway that we have at Bieb il-Bombi? If we look at how many ppl infact use the actual subway over there, it would surely be minimal. Most of the ppl RUN to cross the busy road as the most important thing at the time of crossing would be not to loose the bus, not to cross in a safely manner. Furthermore, I myself really hesitate to go through the subway due to lack of hygienic conditions. So i believe if an underpass would be built, the similar story would take place.
I.Cilia
Sep 3rd 2010, 11:48
what you have commented here is a valid argument for the non construction of this bridge...
i am truly sorry for the loss of this girl's life of course, and can understand the mother's pain but let us admit that first of all we have to be responsible in all our actions.
If the people in floriana do not use that subway it is because we are an irresponsible lot. How many times have we seen people crossing the road with a pedestrian crossing only 5 metres away... or worse still with traffic lights close by and still risk their lives in crossing that road.
And where is the call for having this footbridge i may ask? Middle, or ends? because the people at the end will complain, the ones in middle will complain..
I think that this call for a bridge will not serve much purpose because you can rest assured that many will still cross at road level ignoring the bridge.
I think though that we also need to have proper enforcement on the way people drive. Road signs are totally ignored, road manners are non existent, inner and outer lane are just there in name.
Don Cockrill
Sep 3rd 2010, 10:31
Marlene, Do not despair, see this link for inspiration (ignore the spiritualist bit if you wish,thats not the point).
Good Luck!
CZarb
Sep 3rd 2010, 10:24
On the other hand, increasing the MPs salaries just in the middle of recession is financially feasable.
Kuxjenza socjali u DEMO Kristjan.
Bborg
Sep 3rd 2010, 10:14
Guess that the Authorities decided that life ain't priceless any more.
John Micallef
Sep 3rd 2010, 10:08
Nuri simpatija ma din l-omm, illi fid-dwejjaq tagha minhabba tragedja li grat il- familja tagha, ma tridx tara il- haddiehor fl-istess saram. Imma TM mid-dehra tilfita wkoll il- kuxjenza.
Ma nixieq deni il- hadd, imma jekk tigri tragedja ohra, nixtieq li jfitxu il- GM ta TM personalment u johdulu haqq kemm tiswa hajja u bridge f'daqqa. Ghax vera bla Logika u qalb!!
Xieraq il- paga tieghu f'sena hija aktar min kemm jiswa il- bridge!!
JAFarrugia
Sep 3rd 2010, 09:45
And yet they find money to rebuild the bridge over the breakwater which has as much use as an ashtray on a motorbike.
Steven Calascione
Sep 3rd 2010, 09:40
"Transport Malta has a planning permit to build a footbridge but the authority has re-thought its plans after studies showed that an average of 42 people per week cross the road".
Why then, hasn't Gozo Channel done away with the Gozo Ferry? Less than a 100 people a year swim to Gozo.
This footbridge should be built, and it should be named after Emma.
Peter Bonnici
Sep 3rd 2010, 16:41
Your compaison is beyond ridiculous. How can you compare the entire Island of Gozo to a stretch of pavement in Qormi. For thats all it is. It leads to nowhere, unless you're gonna walk across the fields to get to the old part of the town.
The money for a footbridge could be better spent by the government on teaching people how to think.
victor pulis
Sep 3rd 2010, 09:39
How much did the week long celebrations cost when St. George's Square was inaugurated?
That is only one instance where money was squandered uselessly and a very good example of how financial priorities are warped in this country.
Carmel Garcia
Sep 3rd 2010, 09:32
PART TWO
29 And he spake unto him yet again, and said, Peradventure there shall be forty found there. And he said, I will not do it for forty's sake.
30 And he said unto him, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak: Peradventure there shall thirty be found there. And he said, I will not do it, if I find thirty there.
31 And he said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord: Peradventure there shall be twenty found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for twenty's sake.
32 And he said, Oh let not the Lord be angry, and I will speak yet but this once: Peradventure ten shall be found there. And he said, I will not destroy it for ten's sake.
33 And the LORD went his way, as soon as he had left communing with Abraham: and Abraham returned unto his place.
And MEPA will not give permit for a footbridge... Is this responsibility?
Carmel Garcia
Sep 3rd 2010, 09:30
PART ONE
23 And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?
24 Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city: wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein?
25 That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked; and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?
26 And the LORD said, If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare all the place for their sakes.
27 And Abraham answered and said, Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which am but dust and ashes:
28 Peradventure there shall lack five of the fifty righteous: wilt thou destroy all the city for lack of five? And he said, If I find there forty and five, I will not destroy it.
Dennis Zammit
Sep 3rd 2010, 09:25
'Residents who live on the industrial estate side of the bypass have no safe way of crossing the road to make it to Qormi’s centre'
This is not a correct statement. As already indicated in previous blogs, the best and safest point where these residents can cross is the road leaving the bypass near the new Joinwell showroom. Here the cars have to slow down to join the roundabout, the road is just one lane with pavements on both sides and the area is just on the way to Qormi. All other dangerous crossings end up in fields and the avoid them, anyone must walk to the area near Joinwell/Wurth/Zammit Nursery.
It is easy to cross from anywhere in any road as one pleases but there are always other consequences. After all, the road is for cars and any pedestrian must be the first to ensure his/her safety. It is not that fair to blame the driver if the pedestrian crosses haphazardly without paying attention to the oncoming vehicles.
If anyone want to risk his/her life, then he/she should take responsibility for any accidents..
DZammit
Sep 3rd 2010, 14:30
Do you know exactly where tal-Blat 2 is??? Probably not that's why you are talking in such a way.
J Farrugia
Sep 3rd 2010, 09:23
While trying to be civil in the face of such indignious provocation, and trying to maintain my symphaties for the victims of fatal accidents, I cannot but feel disgusted by this mother's attitude in lambasting the authorities for not giving in to her wishes. The authorities are right. There is no need for any footbridge in the Mriehel Bypass. I dont see any such bridges in overseas motorways. And at any rate, should such a bridge be constructed, rest assured dear madam, that the people who cross the road will NOT take the trouble to go, find the footbridge and cross the road through such a waste of precious money. Rest assured and I know what I'm talking about. The footbridge in THAT area is a waste of good money and a white elephant. And no amount of sobbing etc, will change the attitude of the people towards a white elephant. I re-iterate that it is more better to educate and enforce traffic regulations, how to cross a road, how to drive safely, etc., instead of building bridges to nowhere. That is the sensitivity I want to see not wasting millions for 100 traffic-victims.
Alexia Vella
Sep 3rd 2010, 11:01
J Farrugia it is writings like yours that are DISGUSTING. Even if one person had to cross then a bridge should have been made ages ago. What if it had been your daughter Farrugia? Are people becoming so disgusting that they don't care about the lives of their fellow citizens? How about the squandering of our money on the unwanted and unwarranted Parliament, the open air theatre, the bridge to the breakwater leading to nowhere, and a thousand examples of squandering Farrugia?
Alice Camilleri
Sep 3rd 2010, 11:05
Imissek tisthi J Farrugia. Ghalhekk qed titqammel? Ghal hafna progetti bazwija u nfieq ta' flus fix-xejn ma taharqikx qalbek?
Jon Vercellono
Sep 3rd 2010, 11:09
Perhaps J. Farrugia could be enticed to give a lecture series about squandering money in a venue like the new roofless theatre, St. George's Square, or perhaps the MP's would let him give his lecture in the Parliament on stilts.
J Farrugia
Sep 3rd 2010, 11:14
Standing by what I have said I still re=-iterate that a bridge there is a waste of publoic money and I dont know what an open air theatre has got to do with this white elephant. If you want to drag politics in this matter it's your business. And the first thing I teach my children is HOW TO CROSS A ROAD. Irresponsible parents do otherwise. they dont even care. I am not saying this for this victim since I dont know them. But still a girl in her early stages of life to die like that is a deep wound inside EVERYONE's heart even those who dont care. But the bridge IS NO SOLUTION and those who want to play politics let them play it on their own ground and with their own money. The bridge must never be done. There are other ways and means how to cross from one side to the other. Not the bridge. The bridge will not solve this mother's hurt.
N. Bonnici
Sep 3rd 2010, 11:28
@J Farrugia - What's disgusting is all the spending of millions and millions of €s on unnessasary things/projects. Then when having to spend for a useful footbridge that could save lives then its a big NO.
"I re-iterate that it is more better to educate and enforce traffic regulations, how to cross a road, how to drive safely, etc., instead of building bridges to nowhere. That is the sensitivity I want to see not wasting millions for 100 traffic-victims." --- > UNFORTUNATELY educating people is never enough. A good example of this is the way you expressed you sellfish self, we learn to think of others and not only of ourselves but here you go. It seems like you never need to cross this dangerous road so you do not care of others. This footbridge could save lives in the future so yes it would be money well spent!!
Paul Muscat
Sep 3rd 2010, 11:31
J Farrugia you seem to be the odd one out. No wonder with your total disregard for human lives.
Tiziana Cassar
Sep 3rd 2010, 13:34
You should be ashamed by your insensible comments. And who said that a flyover is not used? Isn't the one at Marsa used properly?
K.Anastasi
Sep 3rd 2010, 17:20
"I dont see any such bridges in overseas motorways."
You may not have but I have.... in the UK...over highways for that matter! Safety of the public is foremost abroad unlike here .
david calleja
Sep 3rd 2010, 23:32
@ JFarrugia...
So we have no problem paying 100,000 euros per bus to the bus-owners, we have no issues with local councils fining car owners thousands for the privilage of driving (and somehow parking) on what laughingly goes for roads in banana land , we have no problems with the millions paid in commisions for the new powerstation, no problem at all in allocating 80 odd million euro for another parliament... but somehow, we lack adequate funds for this... the only disgusting thing here Mr Farrugia is your attitude towards a woman who has lost a daughter...pffff...
r. ebejer
Sep 4th 2010, 16:45
i agree with mr. farrugia..mostly because if the bridge is built in the middle of the stretch a lot of people wouldn't bother to walk and cross from it...come on, honestly ta..how many of us drivers have we seen people trying to cross the road when a few meters away there is a zebra crossing or traffic lights???it's not the first time that i've seen this happening..and we're talking about FEW meters not a very long stretch of road!!!
L.Farrugia
Sep 3rd 2010, 09:15
Marlene Housley, is a hurt mother and I know what she suffers when loosing a young beautiful daughter means and sympathies with her and promise her my prayers. She attacked left right and centre both the Transport Authority and the responsible miniter for transport. She has the right to do so and also campaign for more safety on the road. Whay surprised me is that whilst she attacked the authorities for shelving this project there was not one single word against the irresponsible drivers who race this road at high speed everyday. I know what I am saying because on this road I as lucky that I did not loose my life, although I lost my car, when it finished up total lose when a young driver driving excessivly crashed into me some years ago and following the impact his car finished about 70 metres away from the incident seen and my car was litterly thrown on a central strip. Thank God that when I was hit on the back side of my car I was driving relatively very slow.
Deo Catania
Sep 3rd 2010, 16:10
This is whay you wrote "Thank God that when I was hit on the back side of my car I was driving relatively very slow.".......admitting to driving very slow on a by-pass......that's what causes such accidents.
Ray Vella
Sep 3rd 2010, 09:10
Are the people at the Transport Authority aware that an amount of school-children cross that by-pass to get to their school for no other reason than because they are in a hurry and they are daring? Emma and Graziella were obviously oblivious of the danger because making it in time was uppermost in their minds. How does the Authority concoct its statistics anyway, and since when have financial considerations taken priority over human life? For those who know the by-pass, a safe underpass would be the least traffic-intrusive option. Not to go for this or any satisfactory alternative, belies a mindset of misplaced values and philistinism. I couldn't but help to strongly sympathise with Ms. Housely. Her pleas as much as her plight are genuine.
J Farrugia
Sep 3rd 2010, 12:29
If school children are doing so (crossing this highway) then those responsible must be punished severly and if they aqre parents they should put them in jail. This is a serious matter. Children should never be made to cross this road to go to school. Those who are doing this (knowingly) are IRresponsible. mALTA WILL NOT FALL FOR THE BLACKMAIL OF ANYONE, be they parents of victims or otherwise. And I am not alone in this. I am not a voice in the wilderness.
Alexia Vella
Sep 3rd 2010, 17:55
J Farrugia of course the bridge will be built by the next PL Government because P:L has the safety and well-being of people at its heart. Of course you are a voice in the wilderness because the vast majority of commentators are against your insensitive stand.
Eric Camilleri
Sep 3rd 2010, 09:06
“Losing my daughter was my worst nightmare... my pain is forever".
One can only imagine how true that is. Maybe if Mrs Housley sues Transport Malta, we will see if the footbridge or the claim results "feasibly" cheaper for Transport Malta. There is no price for saving a life. Crossing a Pelican Light on that road is like playing russian roulette and will further expose the 42 residents and drivers to greater danger. It is extremely unfair that the residents isolated by the construction of such a road should continue to be exposed to such daily danger. Was one tragedy not enough ? Ms Housley maybe your neighbourhood should rally your claim through EU courts, where it is clear you have it in your favour to be granted compensation and remedies.
Dr. Charles F. GRech
Sep 3rd 2010, 09:05
The mother in question has good reason to feel disgusted. Transport Malta will not help connect the residents of the hamlet to Qormi Centre. No, not even after innocent lives have already been needlessly lost. A footbridge or an underpass is too expensive, more than human life. Naturally the cost cutting exercise will be some lights with the consequent increase in accidents. I hope that some Transport Malta big wig needs to cross this bypass and 'only just manages' then they may change their minds. It wasn't their daughter who died, it was somebody else's.
I recommend that Transport Malta sticks up a new bus schedule outside the Departure Lounge at MIA. It is still in Maltese Liri. Naturally they had money to pass a road through Foresta 2000 but to ensure bus schedules are correct is just too difficult for them.
Keith Goodlip
Sep 4th 2010, 01:01
Suing TM makes sense. However no amount of money can bring the two teenagers back to life. Their families are scared for life and no matter what happens will change that. Not even ourselves can comprehend the pain and the loss of what they have been through and still are going through.
mario camilleri
Sep 3rd 2010, 08:50
An under ground pedestrian tunnel will solve the problem.
k Sullivan
Sep 3rd 2010, 08:40
''only 45 people cross the road'' And these obviously don't deserve to cross safely, they must cross because they have to, I wonder if more would cross if it were safer.
Geoffrey Mifsud Farrugia
Sep 3rd 2010, 08:38
What i find disgusting and scandalous is not just that a decision to abandon the building of a footbridge, but that such a footbridge or underpass was not planned and built when the road was being constructed.
This particular tract of road was not resurfaced - it was built from scratch by this administration and it was a road that was also co-financed by the Italian protocol! All over the world, when roads like this one are built, underpasses and/or footbridges are incorporated in the construction itself.
But of course in Malta we are unique in so many things! Where was MEPA when the permits to built the road were being reviewed? is it possible that with all these tecnhical people and architects and high paid consultants, absolutely no-one thought about how this community would cross from one side of the road to the other!!!
Darren Galea
Sep 3rd 2010, 08:33
Nifhem il-wega ta omm Emma. Lil Emma kont nafa ftit u ghandi kull rispett lejn il-familja u minn xiex ghaddiet izda nahseb li biex taqsam il-bypass memmx ghalfejn la bridge u lanqas lights, ghas semplici raguni li tista taqsam minn taht il fly over biex tinzel go Hal Qormi u hemmekk m'hemmx il-periklu..Issa mbilli taqsam minn nofs bypass minn fuq il-bridge, mhux xorta trid timxi il-bypass kolla, ma nahsibx li ha toqod tinzel mill pajsagg ta go l-ghelieqi fix-xitwa jew bil-lejl ghax ma tamntx tamel sens...
D.Degaetano
Sep 4th 2010, 06:53
Taqmam minn taht il-flyover memx perikli????? Sa fejn naf jien l-anqas zebra crossing ma hemm hemmhekk!! Kull meta taqsam triq hemm il-periklu u dan jizdied meta t-triq tkun main road u iktar meta tkun bypass. Taht il-flyover xorta traffikuz hafna. Mhix is-soluzjoni...hawn Malta dejjem l-istess skuzi tal-flus. Fl-opinjoni tieghi l-awtoritajiet taghna andhom priority problem kbira ghax flus f'affarijiet mhux daqshekk bzonjuzi jintefqu. L-ewwel il-bzonn imbaghad il-kapricc!!! Affarijiet bhal dan il-bridge huwa dritt taghna!!
Darren Galea
Sep 4th 2010, 18:44
X'ghandu x'jaqsam! Taht il-Flyover il-periklu jonqos hafna iktar ghax kull sewwieq irid inaqqas il-velocita tal-vettura ghax hemm giveways mad-dawra kolla... ghax wiehed jghid hekk mhux bilfors huwa tajjeb..Imghad allahares kull fejn isir incident naghmlu lights, tunnel u bridges! Inkunu rejalistici, fit-triq kulhadd ghandu jkun responsabbli.
C Farrugia
Sep 3rd 2010, 08:33
After reading yesterday's statement about the abandonment of the footbridge I continued to confirm that our authorities unfortunately are very, very, very short sighted.
The article said that the TM carried out a study to see how many people cross the Mriehel By-Pass daily, another short sighted and out of point study. I would like to ask a few questions:
Did TM consider that the number of people crossing the mentioned road was reduced since people might have learned a lesson following the unfortunate incident in which the two girls lost their lives?
Did TM consider that maybe parents are driving their children instead of sending them by foot?
Did TM consider that pelican lights might increase traffic in the area while a footbridge would let the traffic flowing without hindering pedestrians lives?
Did it consider that if less cars are used to cross the mentioned zones there might be less pollution?
L Spiteri
Sep 3rd 2010, 08:24
Hemhekk hemm bzonnu l-bridge. Mhux bil-fors kull ma jaqsmu 42 f'gimgha. Min ha jisogra jaqsam minn hemm. Jghamlu xi tip ta' sistema biex taqsam u taraw kemm jizdiedu n-nies li jaqsmu. Ahna residenti f'dik iz-zona m'ghandniex access ghal Hal Qormi bil-mixi. Din grat minn meta saret il-bypass ghax qabel kien hemm access. L-ippjanar kellhu jsir qabel. Mhux dejjem hekk wara li jigru l-affarijiet jittiehdu PASSI. u f'dan il-kaz l-anqas interess lejna biex jittiehdu passi.
Biss jekk mhux ha jsir xi haga AHNA residenti ZGUR nghamlu xi haga.
GRAZZI awtorita tat-trasport
Peter Murray
Sep 3rd 2010, 08:24
Would the loss of more innocent lives make this project more "FEASIBLE".Does anyone at Transport Malta have children?Profit over prevention rules again.