Update 2: Mellieha main road to reopen for two-way traffic
Borg Olivier Street, Mellieha.
Mellieha Council has decided to re-open Borg Olivier Street for two-way traffic after a public outcry.
The decision was taken this evening and comes just ahead of expected heavy traffic to and from Gozo for Notte Gozitana this weekend.
The road will be reopened on Friday for uphill traffic of light cars and a number of route buses. All other heavy vehicles heading south will be stopped at the bottom of the hill near Ghadira Bay and diverted along the road to Popeye Village.
Parking along Borg Olivier Street will be reduced to ease traffic flow.
Traffic had, for the past few weeks, only been allowed downhill (North bound towards Ghadira and Gozo).
The decision had been taken because of the increased volume of traffic flowing through the heart of Mellieha when the Mellieha Bypass was closed for rebuilding works. The work is expected to be completed in the autumn.
The diversion had caused a wave of protest, especially from Gozitans.
Mellieha Mayor Robert Cutajar said this morning that Roads Minister Austin Gatt informed him yesterday that works on the bypass were four weeks behind schedule because of unexpected problems.
Mr Cutajar said that much against its wishes, the council had to consider removing some parking in Borg Olivier Street to allow light vehicles to use the road in both directions. However heavy vehicles going uphill will still be diverted towards Popeye Village.
He said the problem would be eased once one lane uphill was opened on the bypass as works continue.
The mayor said that the counci had been been and will remain open to any suggestions that may improve the situation.
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78 Comments
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J. Spiteri
May 16th 2012, 10:47
At last someone must have put mayor's feet on the ground. Last week I felt I was entering in an non EU country when before entering Mellieha the warden asked me where I am going. I told him that I need to go to mass at Mellieha' parish church when he told me to pass . But he told me. That if someone should ask me I should say that I am going to eat in one of the restaurants in the road. Why should I lie to pass from a road in my own country. I happen to live in a very busy road but I do not pretend our local council to forbit people other than residents to pass from our road....Mellieha's mayor wants to make Mellieha an independant and sovereign state I think. Thanks god he was stopped.
Peppi Borg
May 16th 2012, 10:08
About time you realised about the disastrous decision you have taken mr.Mayor! You caused a great ordeal to thousands of commuters and welcome back beautiful Mellieha to schengen.
joseph sammut
May 16th 2012, 09:26
The only sensible solution ,well done
Steve Pace
May 16th 2012, 09:14
Mellieha main road to reopen for two-way - The inconvenience caused by the disastrous traffic management in place while this road was closed cost much in terms of money and time to commuters and tourists . What a disgraceful performance by anyone who took the decision to close it in the first place !
pat muscat
May 16th 2012, 08:18
And how many people are working on the roads from Wettinger's Bypass to Cirkewwa? You will be amazed; that.s where the problem lies.
And yet, with all those Transport Malta consultants with golden salaries, not a single one thought that this island and Gozo will come to a halt if it takes months, and more months to finish a major arterial( I say strategic) road?
When they fix or build highways abroad they work day and night; this could have easily been applied to this stretch of road too cause hardly any people live there. Vision2015 ?: its just an other Gonzipn's fizzy fuzzy buzzword.!
Chris Xuereb
May 16th 2012, 07:04
I can fully understand that with all the diversions, all attributed to poor planning, it's frustrating to have to take such a long drive to get to the destination........ But I do not see why, when the bypass is open, that Borg Oliver street cannot be one way. Traffic would drive down through Borg Oliver Street and up through the bypass, in the form of a ring road. The flow of traffic would be smoother, pollution would be less and pedestrians / shoppers can shop at peace of mind. This way it would probably be possible to add more parking spots. The problem with us Maltese is that we complain too much....... If parking spots are made available we complain that the road is too narrow, if we do not find parking we complain that none is made available.No wonder the British called it Maltese GemGem.
Chris Attard
May 15th 2012, 23:31
I thank the Mellieha council for coming up with such a lovely precedent over the past weeks, and for TM to have seconded it, well done, you must be really proud of yourselves!
Now, I would like to suggest to my Birkirkara council to block Valley Road from non-Birkirkara residents during rush hours, because you know, it causes so much distress to us Birkirkara residents in central Malta hosting all this traffic, exhaust, noise, and afterall, we're lucky we have a bypass people could use, but somehow, Valley Road is always choco-block, so why not do like the Mellieha boys did, or maybe cause less of a stir and charge non-Birkirkara residents for a toll to use the road and pay back the residents for the problems we suffer? Now how's that for a revenue-generating exercise dear council!?
Are we less privileged than the Mellieha residents?!
joanne vella
May 15th 2012, 23:26
I am not sure whether to laugh or cry when faced with such blatant hypocricy. From months before these traffic arrangements were imposed, we residents had warned vociferously about the inevitable consequenses. Elements from within the Melieha local council even rediculed our concerns and upheld a compromised arragement accomodating stakeholders with specific interests, miles apart from residents' concerns. This latest proposal is no discovery of neither the council nor the transport minister and no credit is therefore due to either. They both were on the forefront to shoot it down when originally proposed by the Mellieha residents.
It is inexplicable how opinions so opposing and antagonistic at the the outset have today transformed into an ego salvaging crusade.
Weeks of repeated complaints with the Mellieha Local council have been silenced by indemnifying stereotype rhetoric repelling any responsibility onto Transport Malta.
This I am alright jack attitude further fuelled continued justified complaints by affected Mellieha residents with TM. EventuallyTM offered to summon and finance the placement of enforcement officers/ traffic wardens at Ghadira roundabout to ensure proper enforcement.
Putting it mildly, it is offensive of the local council to claim credit for such a measure, when on a number of instances it has abused the same officers for performing their duty as directed by TM and worse still, interfered with proper enforecement measures by way of issueing special access permits to anyone perceived as blue eyed. ( Mellieha residents already had the ID card option )
Amazingly, six months down the line our authorities have finally realised that the project has fallen behind and deadlines would have to be postponed. All is being blamed on weather conditions when it is so obvious that the contractor has had other priorities and those responsible to report progress or lack thereof, were comfortably sheltered from the bad weather whilst works in progress were hybernating.
All of a sudden, it has become evident that there is a problem. And now we have to rush through decisions to contain the uproar. About time !!!
Finally common sense is being allowed to prevail. Still, authorities are shying away from calling a spade a spade. A small reduction in the parking along GBO will lead to huge congestions yet again. Parking has to go, period.
Someone with hidden agendas will strongly oppose this suggestion, but only because the ultimate goal is that of switching GBO back to one way once the bypass reopens. It does'nt matter if the traffic is shifted onto narrower and less traffic worthy two way residential village core streets. For some selfcentred, ego driven individuals, it is more important to reinstate parking in GBO than safety on residential streets.
Mellieha residents beware. The writing is on the wall.!
Janet Bayes
May 15th 2012, 22:58
Simple solutions.
1. Allow the light traffic vehicles and buses to travel in both directions on the hill.
2. STOP ALL PARKING along the main street - - that's ALL PARKING. Permanently.
3. Replace all the incompetent persons currently in employment by TM, and the road construction companies.
4. Get some workers prepared to get the job done, effectively, efficiently, and on time - - - and fine the company they work for if it isn't.
'
Emanuel Zahra
May 15th 2012, 22:39
Four weeks behind schedule because of unexpected problems? that is excellent, that is outstanding..... the embellishment works at Bormla are now two years behind schedule ..............ok, almost two years, maybe a coincidence? ............ nah, forget it, I am sure that it was premeditated ........... Bormla is not Mellieha or Valletta in the eyes of who's responsible ..........
Mr Adrian Zahra
May 15th 2012, 22:03
If we lived in really serious mellieha`s major head would have rolled off by this evening. not in the literal sense of it of course.
Joe Vella
May 15th 2012, 21:58
TWO WAY MELLIEHA Main Road......
Why is the Mellieha Local Council and The Government are listening to those people that stated unilaterally, egoistically that they don't want passing traffic in front of their houses because the value to their property will be diminished. The Mayor and the council should be ashamed of letting these people control them without seeing the bigger picture.
SO LONG FOR THE COMMON GOOD... THIS IS FOR THE GOOD OF THE FEW...
THE PERSONS WHO LIVE IN TRIQ GNIEN INGRAW ARE THE KINGS.. MAYOR YOU THINK THEY WILL VOTE FOR YOU.... FORGET IT... THEY WILL NOT EVEN TALK TO YOU BUT THEY WILL FIND SOMETHING ELSE ON WHAT TO GRUMBLE!!!
Sorry again to quote Mayor...
'Ghal Mellieha Ahjar, Ghall Ambjent Melliehi Ahjar, Kullhadd irid jerfa ftit mil-Piz" Il-Piz ergajt tfajtu l-arlogg lura 18 il-sena
Ms Samantha Debono
May 16th 2012, 17:18
Mr. Joe Vella, I live in Gnien Ingraw... Believe me, I have not been treated like a 'king' at all but I have been passing through hell since mid January 2012. Do you think you're being smart by writing this comment???? Transport Malta completed a thorough technical study (in the end of 2011) about traffic being diverted through Gnien Ingraw and New Mill Street and they were fully opposed to the idea! They agreed that these roads are dangerous and ill-equipped for a large number of vehicles to pass through the area! But of course you know better than anyone about the issue right? I would recommend that you educate yourself before speaking about such issues since clearly you have no idea what you're talking about...
joanne vella
May 17th 2012, 08:25
Dear Mr Vella KINGS do not live in fumes,noise,traffic jams and all the misery a diversion brings along with it I
can assure you! You seem to live away from it all .......now who is being egoistic ?
Adrian Said
May 15th 2012, 20:46
It seems that in every road, many unexpected problems crop up. Should these unexpected problems, be considered before? Are the contractors going to be fined if they do not follow deadlines!? Joe public, will still be fined, if he doesn't pay his electricity bill within the stipulated time, even though some unexpected problems crop up!!!! But I think, that in Malta, the two weights two measures thing does not apply!
Kev Samut
May 15th 2012, 20:09
Who is going to give us motorists compensation for going out of the way for TM to do a road which takes ages to finish?And how is it that works going on the Riu Sea Bank Hotel is being excepted by being done on the road going up with cranes,bulldozers etc........... parked haphazardly!
Joseph Calleja
May 15th 2012, 15:38
“Oh what a tangled web we weave, When first we practice to deceive” in other words, what a mess. I really would like to ask. Who is responsible for projecting that these major arteries be shut down, all at the same time? One of the best solutions for this majestic snafu is to stop pointing fingers and prohibit all parking, (except for emergency vehicles), on Main Street/Borg Olivier Street from top of the hill all the way down past the bridge. This will open this main thoroughfare to commuting traffic. This will surely also create a protest from the retailers on Main Street. There is no hundred percent solution and a bit of common sense will prevail. The whole thing could have been avoided if TM ran a BYPASS from Cirkewwa all the way to the ST Paul's Bypass going around the Danish Village like it was proposed earlier because of the deterioration of Ghadira Bay, but it seemed some of the NGO's objected to that route. Stop using Mellieha as a scapegoat for the inefficiencies and incompetence of Transport Malta. If the Gozitans want a better and more efficient transportation, they should insist on the Government to construct such a Bypass and avoid going through Mellieha all together. Gozitans have a way of getting what they want? Cannot please everybody. Imagine a FOUR LANE BYPASS from Cirkewwa all the way to the Airport or all all the way to Mater Dei? It seems to me that this would be a lot more feasible than building a tunnel or a bridge. Today or tomorrow we have to face the facts. We cannot keep living in denial, the time to act is now. We do the talk, now let us do the walk. This is my opinion, I am sure there are many more people with different ideas, some pro and some con.
Mr Raymond S. Vella
May 15th 2012, 18:32
No matter how much we want to live in denial like you said, some things will happen all the same. Yet, we will do such things in our own maltese way. So, the bridge or tunnel between Malta and Gozo will be built, but not now definitely. It will be built in the future when the 80% funding from EU will not be available anymore should we ask for it, and when we would have spent all those millions for the quays at Mgarr and Cirkewwa, and when we buy another 3 expensive new ferry boats. By-passes across Malta which are targeted for the ever growing traffic will surely be constructed with flyovers and tunnels where necessary, but not now. First we need to reduce much of our main roads into single lanes and extend pavements wider and wider. Then when we’re finished we’ll realize that single opposite lanes are more prone for head on collisions and that due to the slowing down effect of their nature, all are risking much more in overtaking. And so, a programme will be introduced to convert these into 2 lane roads, one lane for slow moving heavy vehicles and the other for overtaking. Yet no matter what, congestion is the name of the day, and so when we give up hope, someone will realize that we might simply need a straight line underground rail from cirkewwa tunnel entrance to freeport, with 8 hubs or stops in Malta where buses will service very short distances adequately. This is all about the future, but it will happen for sure. It just wont happen now while we’re yet in time for heavy subsidy from the EU. It will only happen when we have to pay for every one cent from out taxes, and curse our elder politicians for their lack of vision and interest.
K. Vella II
May 16th 2012, 01:34
"The whole thing could have been avoided if TM ran a BYPASS from Cirkewwa all the way to the ST Paul's Bypass going around the Danish Village like it was proposed earlier because of the deterioration of Ghadira Bay, but it seemed some of the NGO's objected to that route."
I'm pretty sure the building of such a bypass wouldn't have served to ease the traffic problem but rather to appease certain lobbying hoteliers in the area.
Mrs Mary Fisher
May 15th 2012, 15:30
This subject has been discussed to such a big extent and yet we cannot find a way out. Individuals have been called to carry the can and really and truly it has all become ONE BIG MESS AND A TOTAL FARCE. I have suggested before that now is the time for a big conference to be taken and attended by all those involved whether they gave the go ahead or are now suffering the consequences. Like Mayor Robert suggested the whole of Borg Olivier Street should be free of parking, at least for the time being. Would be shoppers or service users should be able to have a FREE PARK & RIDE SERVICE from near Belle Vue. This arrangement always works when Mellieha puts on any of its well known celebrations and I cannot see why it should not work now. The Park & Ride cost should be footed by Malta Transport who somehow got the whole thing wrong in the first place.As suggested before, deliveries to shops and restaurants should be made at certain times and we could do this at least for a trial period. Let us all show willing to co-operate and stop complainign and pointing fingers. Give Mellieha a chance.
Joseph Calleja
May 15th 2012, 16:52
I agree with you Mrs Fisher.
Ray Bondin
May 15th 2012, 13:05
In my letter to the Sunday Times of 22nd April I suggested that George Borg Olivier Street in Mellieha should be two-way and what was needed only was the removal of some parking bays. It took everyone so long to see that this is the only sensible thing to do. The Mellieha Mayor should never have forced everyone to go through the Popeye Village road whilst the Mellieha bypass is still not ready. Once this is ready he can discuss traffic calming measures but not whilst the bypass is closed. Mellieha Mayor should be thankful that his village has a by-pass! Many towns and villages do not and have to put up with heavy traffic going through their main road. Its is good to recall that that by-pass was planned and started under George Borg Oliviers' 60s Government.
Point remains that the Mayor shoudl never have been allowed to close traffic to non Mellieha residents. It was indeed very upsetting and sad to see Wardens requesting I D cards from drivers.
Joseph Calleja
May 15th 2012, 16:51
Mr Bondin the idea of restricting parking on Main Street/George Borg Olivier Street is an ongoing proposition. Whenever the idea of banning parking all along that busy street is brought up, the business proprietors complain profusely. I think this debate has been an ongoing battle for years and it is still going on now. Again, I suggest a Four Lane Bypass starting from Cirkewwa all the way to the Airport and Mater Dei bypassing most cities. Lack of thinking on behalf Transport Malta. TM has to adjust to modern day traffic.
K. Vella II
May 16th 2012, 01:35
Joseph Calleja, how exactly do you plan to fund such a bypass?
John iNGUANEZ
May 15th 2012, 12:58
When i see these comments, I stop and think about our main artery Zabbar Road/Hompesch Road. I hope that the Local Council takes some courage and plan a better traffic management for the area. The first should be done that traffic coming from Corradino Hill, could use Wied Blandun Street, which is one way upwards. It makes more sense than traffic coming out of Fgura, faces three lanes to go to Valletta - one from Cospicua, one from Corradino Hil and one from Zabbar Road. While on the other hand, traffic could move swiftly into Fgura from Wied Blandun thus easing traffic in the main artery. Let these commentators visit out road during the rush hours and they will see what I mean.
Another thing which the Local Council should take care of is that Zabbar Road/Hompesch Street are the onlt two streets with no parking markings as in all other streets. I suggest more that they introduce residents parking. If I go to Hamrun, a commercial area, I am subjected to time-zones, so why we residents have to face problems to park because nearly or dwelling in Zabbar and Hompesch are being converted into commercial establishments with no parking available. MEPA please note.
Claire Abela
May 15th 2012, 11:33
'As the project is on an arterial road, it is a Transport Malta and not a council project, he said.' This statement is FALSE!! It was the Mellieha Mayor who mostly insisted that traffic arrangements will have to remain like this as the Mellieha people are the most suffering!!!
I think the Mayor went abroad and saw traffic diversions, and he can vouch that he never saw one like the road going back from Gozo to the south of Malta in the evening where you seem to be in the middle of nowhere!! You have to keep in mind, that tourists have the hurdle of driving opposite usual driving in their country and then find this road where only the moon will guide you!!!!
Anthony A. Mifsud
May 15th 2012, 12:01
Dear Ms. Abela I cnnot agree more, well stated..
Ninu.
K. Vella II
May 15th 2012, 11:16
"Minister Austin Gatt informed him yesterday that works on the bypass were four weeks behind schedule because of unexpected problems."
The fact that you barely see half a dozen workers from Mellieħa to Ċirkewwa might have something to do with it, let alone during the night and weekends. Workers on such infrastructural works, especially during peak tourism season, should not expect the 'luxuries' of a 9-5 job.
Joe Vella
May 15th 2012, 11:14
Dr. Mr. Aberla, shop owners should provide residents of Mellieha with a safe shopping environment. I for one, refuse to shop in Mellieha. Customers should not fight over with delivery people. Deliveries should be accepted during non business hours. This would go a long way to provide a safe environment to shop ad will go a long way to in helping the congestion problem along George Borg Olivier Street. Council provide unloading bays for deliveries, these have turned out nothing but to reserved parking spaces for shop owners. Council, immediately should turn these unloading bays into parking spaces during business hours.
F. Pisani
May 15th 2012, 10:47
It's about time!!!!!!!
M Grima
May 15th 2012, 10:24
'As the project is on an arterial road, it is a Transport Malta and not a council project, the mayor said'
But, it was the council's decision to divert traffic through the outskirts of Mellieha. Imagine if all the councils had to imitate Mellieha's council.
Mario Muscat
May 15th 2012, 10:20
I have been wondering what would happen if a car broke down in the narrow roads near Popeye Village. There is no side space for the car to be put to allow the rest of the traffic to pass! Only God knows what congestion that would cause!
Joe Vella
May 15th 2012, 11:21
Mario, in that case just cope with it. Mellieha residents on Many occasions were prevented to getting home or leaving Mellieha all together because all the roads in/out of Mellieha were blocked by traffic accidents. Yes, even Emergency services couldn't access mellieha.
Christina Pace
May 15th 2012, 11:23
i will save you from wrinkling your forehead and tell you what happens. We waited over an hour some weeks ago when a car broke down and had to be towed out.
Steven Smith
May 15th 2012, 11:25
trucks reguarly break down there...at least 2 times a week and normally trucks laden with big boulders trying to get up the hill !
R ferriggi
May 15th 2012, 10:15
DO PEOPLE REALISE WHAT THE MELLIEHA MAIN ROAD LOOKS LIKE IN SUMMER IF IT IS TWO WAY?????
MAYBE IT'S A GOOD THING YOU DON'T.
IT MEANS YOU NEVER GOT STUCK IN 35 DEGREES IN YOUR CAR FOR HALF AN HOUR.
WITH THE BYPASS CLOSED,,,,, I HATE,,,,,,,,,, TO THINK WHAT IT WILL BE LIKE.
joanne vella
May 15th 2012, 21:39
for all of those who know what Mellieha Main street is like in summer if it is two way including yourself dear Mr Ferriggi, and all the others that yet do not have a vague idea, may I remind you that the authorities are giving you an option......take the popeye diversion if GBO two way does not suit your purpose.
Louis Galea
May 16th 2012, 11:22
"IT MEANS YOU NEVER GOT STUCK IN 35 DEGREES IN YOUR CAR FOR HALF AN HOUR"
I wonder who never experienced such moments during our hot Maltese summers!!!
I suggest you invest in an air conditioned vehicle to ease your fears.
Ms Samantha Debono
May 16th 2012, 17:21
Mr. Ferriggi, I have to agree with Ms. Vella here... you have another option; use the Popeye Village Bypass... You'll have a nice north westerly breeze (God willing) and beautiful views of Mellieha along the way! So you won't need to be 'stuck in 35 degrees in your car for half an hour'.
Problem solved......
Mr ALBERT LEONE GANADO
May 15th 2012, 10:02
The basic problem is not the fact that through traffic has been banned going uphill but the fact that a few kilometres of road is taking ages to be completed. Do we not have a single decent professional roads project manager to insist that deadlines and schedules are kept. This is an open countryside road which would have taken a few weeks in most countries to complete. If the Maltese contractors are incompetent then we should get a Chinese team to show us how to do it. Even in uncongenial African conditions they manage a productivity which is ten time ours.
Rather than addressing and protesting against the underlying root causes and incompetence which should have seen all the officials responsible for this roads project forced to resign and perhaps fruitful pressure to accelerate progress of works ,we focus in an egoistic way on our immediate personal minor inconveniences and forget the inconvenience we are causing the Mellieha residents. Abroad roadworks often involve detours of tens of kilometres. Empty talk that the roads belong to all and claiming that passage is a sacrosanct right is just hilarious . Just go abroad and see the restrictions which councils impose on traffic going through the centre of towns. We are true amateurs who focus and protest for all sorts of wrong reasons and end up just make matters worse for ourselves and others . I now foresee huge traffic jams, overheated engines and even worse snarling delays on the Mellieha hill. I shall stick to the detour road and I am sure I will beat all those who decide to go through Mellieha
matthew tanti
May 15th 2012, 10:00
"either heads roll or else bring out the chequebooks and compensate": the usual bullish attitude from the GRTU. they seem to think they have some divine right to compensation. nobody forces their members to be retailers and traders: the rules of that field are that profits are dictated by the market: if customers decrease because of the road works, tough luck. after all, it is temporary: you take the bad with the good.
R ferriggi
May 15th 2012, 09:44
NOW WATCH THE MAYHEM,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Gianninu Saliba
May 15th 2012, 09:39
I just cannot understand why the socialists complain about everything. Don't they realize that each and every road that the Socialist built when they were in government had to be rebuilt from scratch. Poor workmanship, typical of poor leadership.
M Grima
May 15th 2012, 10:29
Go on Mr. Saliba, blame also the socialists for the delay in all the roads for your the inefficiency of GonziPN. And talking about poor leadership, what about your beloved Gonzi who cannot even control his 34 members of parliament let alone a nation of 400,000 disgruntled people. The next statement by Austin Gatt would probably be that they had an overrun in the cost of this road coupled with another 4 weeks of delay.
Mr Andrew Camilleri
May 15th 2012, 11:53
That's funny - I thought the mellieha Bypass was built by GonziPN. Mr Saliba is now attributing the building of this fantastic road to the LP! U hallina Sur Saliba, xi thawwad.
pat muscat
May 15th 2012, 16:57
Yes, after 25 years, it normal for roads to be built from scratch: unlike the Xlendi road which is being built from scratch only after one year!
Tasha Borg
May 15th 2012, 09:12
Can the Mayor plan something for a reserved loading and unloading in front of the Solana Hotel. Chauffer services compnaies are getting fined because they stop infront of the hotel to drop the clients and their luggage. When contacted the offices we were told to stay going around until a parking space is free infront of the hotel or else drop them at the back of the hotel where they have their delivery area :s.... ARE WE SERIOUS!!!!!!!!! is this the kind of service we want to give to our tourists...
Michelle Attard
May 15th 2012, 09:38
Well, Solana Hotel should have thought about this before. I would have thought that the comfort of passengers would be a priority. The service being given to tourists is the service Solana has deemed appropriate. So stop whining.
Joseph Grech Attard
May 15th 2012, 10:38
Tasha, tourists will not complain if they walk a few metres. Maybe taxis, etc could stop at the first side street above Solana. It is only about 20 metres away! The hotel can provide bellboys/girls to help with luggage. it is done in many a place in touristic areas abroad, eg Seville, Paris, Rome, etc! Like Maritim further down the street, the authorities should have made sure that parking was available for the Solana. It is now too late!
Jessica Smith
May 15th 2012, 13:50
Tasha Borg how about providing a parking space on hotel property? I was going to say that this common sense, but then I remembered seeing a comment that common sense in Malta is not common at all.
Peter Murray
May 15th 2012, 08:56
Immense lack of forethought and accountable planning went into all these projects which overlap and effect one another-these being the massive construction project at the Ghadira roundabout.the Mellieha bypass and the turning of the main throughfare through Mellieha(G.B.Oliver str) n to a one way system all commencing virtually simultaneously- and nobody envisaged any possible problems with this?
Jay Oatmon
May 15th 2012, 09:32
The problem is that no one is accountable or responsible, all concerned can point their fingers at someone else for being at fault.
I seems that in Malta this is the way things are done - right from the top down: - nothing is transparent (allowing more money to be made), no one is accountable (allowing more corruption to flourish), no one is responsible (you keep you job even if you are incompetent). So it is all one big happy family.
Peter Murray
May 15th 2012, 10:58
WELL SAID JAY and sadly so very accurate and true
Charles Micallef
May 15th 2012, 08:53
Thank God, common sense prevails at last, I thought that this discrimination was going to lead to other localities taking similar measures and retaliate by not allowing Mellieha residents to drive through their village core and diverting them through bypasses only.
mario salnitro
May 15th 2012, 08:50
Finally good sense has prevailed.
Peter Zahra
May 15th 2012, 08:45
We hope that common sense prevails and that temporarily traffic adjustments will be in place prior summer, by simply removing parking from Gorg Borg Oliver street and opening this main road on both lanes.
Joe Spiteri
May 15th 2012, 08:37
What? Four weeks behind schedule? But aren't ALL road projects are usually finished on time? Take for instance Qrejten Street in Msida. All work seems to have stopped and what we have is dust, potholes and trenches. Tassew prosit!
Michael Camileri
May 15th 2012, 08:34
Remove the parking spaces, but also wardens.. please BOOK the people who park and use their hazard lights... Yes we really believe you have broken down outside the pastizzeria ;)
Peter Paul Buttigieg
May 15th 2012, 08:26
"decision was taken by Transport Malta in association with Mellieha Council because of the increased volume of traffic flowing through the heart of Mellieha" ? How legal is it to deny access through Mellieha for the above reason?
Can any legal mind inform the public accordingly?
i believe that the Local Council can put restriction on parking but can never deny access to a main road!!
I feel that pressure should be done on the TM to make the appropriate plans before embarking on any similar project which effects the whole island of Gozo and Mellieha included.
A case in point was last Saturday morning when traffic was stuck at Popeye village for 2 hours with no way out out for any relief!!
The citizens are only to suffer!!
Liliana Said
May 15th 2012, 08:24
And what about the traffic that passes through the heart of Xemxija? We have been promised that they will be building an alternate road for ages now, but still nothing. Xemxija hill cannot withstand those heavy trucks that pass daily from there.
simon vella
May 15th 2012, 08:23
Good news dear Robert, is-sens commun rebah.
Mr Mark Borh
May 15th 2012, 08:20
It would make sense to do that and to leave the route to Popeye village open as well. The local council should also consider putting up some signs on the Popeye village route too...
pat muscat
May 15th 2012, 08:15
Another fiasco by Austin Gatt and GonziPN's representative in Mellieha Mayor Robert Cutajar ! It seems that this Mayor takes important decisions on his own; otherwise how can one explain the transplanting of hundred year old trees from the entrance leading to the Sanctuary? These 100 year old trees featured in old Maltese postcards: no more!
Joseph Zammit
May 15th 2012, 08:30
The Trees were planted in another Location and there is a re-surfacing project to bring the entrance to the sanctuary to a better state than it was, The Project would have need the majority of the council to pass and other approvals like Mepa so i don't see your point besides mud slinging
pat muscat
May 15th 2012, 08:50
@Joseph Zammit. While the Government spends millions of euros to embellish our dusty island with greenery and trees; the mayor cuts these 100 year old , with the result that anyone driving down to Mellieha Bay can see how barren the entrance to the sanctuary looks. So these trees were cut with the blessing of Mepa; that is the Government agency that sees to the preservation of our environment-the green one included? So the problem is even worse than I have thought. By the way, is it true that the trees were taken away because of bird droppings on the parked cars?
Mario Giuliano
May 15th 2012, 09:23
@ Ms Pat Muscat ... "By the way, is it true that the trees were taken away because of bird droppings on the parked cars?" I guess that most probably you are very correct in assuming this.
@Joseph Zammit ... if you are informed of anything to the contrary and can negate the above then please reply!
Stephen Borg
May 15th 2012, 14:12
Pat, if you made some research before you wrote your comment you would have found out that the project at Misrah iz-Zjara tal-Papa was approved unanimously by the Mellieha Local Council and that there are photographs that show that these trees are not 100 years old.
pat muscat
May 15th 2012, 16:59
@Stephen Borg. Sorry: they are 99 years old! How old is good enough for you?
K. Vella II
May 16th 2012, 01:41
The uprooting of the trees in Misraħ iż-Żjara tal-Papa is abominable. Shame on all the council members if this decision was unanimous, as you are claiming.
Anthony Arpa
May 15th 2012, 08:14
In my opinion this road problem will be solved only if the traffic through this part of the road will be controlled by Traffic lights. With this system this part of the road will have only one way traffic at a time ... This system worked where was installed temporary till certain road works will be done ....
Michael Borg
May 15th 2012, 08:33
are you serious ?
Matthew Micallef
May 15th 2012, 08:53
"This system worked where was installed temporary till certain road works will be done ...." You clearly aren't very familiar with this country.
Anthony A. Mifsud
May 15th 2012, 08:11
Mellieha road may reopen? What's this who is running the show?
What a carry on..
Give me strength , my God.
Tony
Caroline McAlister
May 15th 2012, 08:40
Mr Mifsud, If you think that non residents should not be allowed to pass through the main road in Mellieha than its about time that Msida residents should also be allowed to stop people from Mellieha passing through Msida on a daily basis as well. Im sure that it would not only help to alleviate the congestion problem every morning and evening but also it will help to clean the air quality for us Msiddijani as well.
Anthony A. Mifsud
May 15th 2012, 10:14
Ms. McAilister
You know I share the same feeling! Why not start that game, you scratch my back and i'll scratch yours..
My meaning was that this rock is being run by degree ....
Ninu.
Ms Borg
May 15th 2012, 08:11
What? ..will be asked "to consider"? and not ordered to? Excuse my ignorance but is it not discriminatory to close a road for non residents unless it is certified private of course! This action should be immediately reported to the EU council so action can be sought against the Mellieha Local Council!
Joseph Zammit
May 15th 2012, 08:27
Dear Ms. Borg, Did you read the article correctly it was Transport Malta who Proposed the closure of the road and the council and GRTU agreed.
Paul Caruana
May 15th 2012, 08:09
The only sensible solution until at least one lane of the Mellieha bypass is opened for traffic.
Please choose the reason of your report below: