Joseph Messina suggested in his letter Congested Sliema Roads (December 22) that Amery and G. Borg Olivier streets become one-way roads to reduce the problem of cars being stuck when approaching from different directions.

... key roads could have... ‘red zone’ ...- James C. Wightman, St Julians

Although one-way streets offer greater parking capacity (in narrower roads), they also, unfortunately, often cause more problems than they solve. Making car journeys longer, not to mention the inconvenience to cyclists, they also produce more pollution, result in increased traffic speeds, particularly in residential roads and, unless there is a suitable release, deposit traffic at junctions elsewhere that can become quickly overloaded.

George Debono suggested leaving them two way as they are a “natural traffic-calming” method, which makes sense. The problem is when wide vehicles are encountered, not just public service vehicles, but large SUVs that are currently in vogue.

Rather than make yet another one-way road, the fluidity of such roads could be enhanced by simply making one or two suitable “passing places” and having width restrictions or reducing the times that large commercial vehicles can obtain access.

Such passing places and other key roads that should not be obstructed could have the “red zone” introduced similar to the UK, where no stopping at all is allowed on red lines. This might also help keep traffic flowing.

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