AD this morning spoke on the need to make roads and urban centres more people friendly.

Addressing a news conference on mobility, AD spokesman Arnold Cassola called for the creation of more pedestrian zones, especially in commercial areas and in village and town centres.

“At present the disregard for the needs of the most vulnerable people of our society, such as people with disabilities, ageing persons and parents with prams, is quite high.

“The lack of planning with regards to the positioning of street furniture, lamp-posts and signposts is sometimes impressive and this lack of planning is proving to be of real hindrance to the mobility of these categories,” he said.

Prof. Cassola said that the arrogance of the PN and the PL, who have illegally occupied Maltese roads and pavements with massive billboards for the past months, including placing some on ramps for disabled people, showed a strong lack of sensitivity for the needs of all Maltese citizens.

Spokesman Ralph Cassar said that urban centres and areas to which people commuted to and from work need more investment in mass transportation systems.

“We need public transport which connects all arterial roads which are clogged with traffic, especially in the morning. The heavy traffic from Bugibba through Mosta, Birkirkara to the University bypass and from Marsa, Marsascala and Fgura to Paola are especially problematic.

“The congestion from Rabat to Attard, Msida, Gzira and Sliema shows that there are routes which people use to commute for work which are not served well by public transport.”

Mr Cassar said that data to establish people’s travel patterns was needed and encouraging alternative and new modes of travel in urban areas were also a must.