When I read about the report on the black dust in Fgura, I could not but think about the situation in Żabbar, particularly in Hompesch Road.

Ever since the trees were uprooted, when the two roads were rebuilt, we have been exposed to pollution from the heavy traffic passing from this arterial road in the middle of our village.

Signs at the beginning of Żabbar Road (near the Galleria Complex) and near Hompesch Gate say that heavy vehicles should not pass through this arterial road if not to render a service. This is a daily joke, as such vehicles pass even in full view of the traffic wardens around the Tip Top roundabout, ready to ‘pounce’ (as is their duty, of course) on everyone except these heavy traffic polluters.

Here are some suggestions which, if carried out, could go some way towards minimising pollution and the health hazard it is causing in this area.

First, the ban on heavy vehicles should be enforced; secondly, allow a longer time for pedestrians to cross the three zebra crossings in the area so that traffic would take longer to stop; thirdly, traffic from the Marsa area to Marsascala should be directed through signs in Aldo Moro Road and in front of Malta Shipbuilding to Sta Luċija Avenue, Tal-Barrani, President Buttigieg Street, and down to Marsascala. This is not a heavily built-up area and would surely lessen traffic through the Fgura arterial road.

If this is not enough, I have another radical proposal: set up CCTV cameras at the Galleria Complex and Hompesch Gate area and allow only vehicles with even and odd registration numbers on alternate days, thus cutting traffic by half. It is a drastic measure, but it is used in various countries. This, of course, would not affect Fgura residents.