Updated: Gozo Chamber sees Mellieha council decision as 'abusive'

Updated - Adds Mellieha Council reaction -

The Gozo Business Chamber said today it was dismayed   at the fact that the Mayor of Mellieha had ordered that the road leading from Ghadira Bay to Mellieha at the roundabout of The Sea Bank Hotel is closed to anyone trying to access it, except for residents of Mellieha and any other person producing a “special pass” issued by Mellieha Council.

"All traffic is being diverted by local wardens through the narrow one way road passing through Popeye Village, with the consequence that traffic coming from Gozo is being congested in this area and the average trip for us Gozitans has increased by another 15 to 30 extra minutes," the Chamber said.

It said it has had complaints from its members that, because of congestion which at times lasted of more than an hour, they missed their flights and other important appointments in Malta.  It was also impossible for an ambulance to enter the area should an accident happen on that road.

"The Chamber is therefore calling on the authorities to stop immediately this abusive action being taken by the Mayor of Mellieha and to open the road to the village of Mellieha without any further delay," the Chamber said.

MELLIEHA COUNCIL REACTION

In a reaction, Mellieha council said the diversions were made necessary because all the traffic to and from Gozo and the northernmost part of Malta had been going through the village core since the Mellieha bypass is closed.

The council said it understood the inconvenience suffered by the Gozitans, but everyone had to shoulder some sacrifices during the duration of the project.

The roads were such that few diversions were possible. What was taking place had been agreeed unanimously within the council and was in agreement with the police and Transport Malta.

The council said it was prepared to hold talks with the Chamber, as long as the residents of Mellieha were not asked to make more sacrifices than they were making already.

It also called on the authorities to ensure that project timeframes were observed so that at least one of the uphill lanes of the bypass could be opened as soon as possible, easing the current problem.