Traffic measures causing long tailbacks at Msida

I would like to vent my frustration, and that of thousands of other drivers, who last Wednesday traversed Msida towards Gżira/Sliema. The tailback was up to the Ta’ Braxia Cemetery and it took over 20 minutes to arrive at Msida from Pietà. When this was pointed out to a traffic policeman standing on the road the reply was “We know about it” – but nothing was being done to remedy it.

The mess was caused by some very bright traffic expert who decided to divert traffic coming from Valletta back to Valletta by closing off the direct access to Rue D’Argens. This was the only access to Sliema when Msida gets flooded even by a mere shower. It is the traffic safety valve of the place and one had to drive further on and stop at the traffic lights opposite the Regional Road, causing more gridlock. I’m sure the brain that devised the new arrangement does not drive through this area every morning.

Another bright idea for easier traffic flow through Msida was the erection (for the third time) of traffic lights at the bottom of Rue D’Argens. When on red, the stationary traffic blocks the main flow going to Valletta, causing another jam. If this is how we are going to reduce the heavy pollution and smooth the traffic flow, then whoever devised the plan is either incompetent or is trying to break a pollution record.

One wonders whether the local council was consulted and who was the traffic expert who gave the green light to this scam. Road users demand an explanation. When one realises we are actually paying people to come up with such stupidities it tends to further increase the frustration and anger.