(Adds Transport Malta's, St Paul's Bay council's statements)

The complete closure of the Coast Road due to the ongoing works caused mayhem this morning as traffic came to a complete standstill especially in Qawra, Buġibba, St Paul’s Bay and Burmarrad.

As hundreds of motorists were stuck in traffic, photos and complaints from irate drivers went viral on the social media.

In some places the situation was so desperate, that drivers switched off the engine and walked out of the car to get some shade at the side of the road.

This busy arterial road which is being rebuilt from scratch was closed yesterday morning and is expected to re-open on Friday at 5am, Transport Malta said.

Though, motorists were urged to avoid the area, residents living in St Paul’s Bay, Buġibba and Qawra had no option but to use the only available thoroughfare through Burmarrad and it-Telgħa t’Alla u Ommu in Naxxar.

However, those who followed the instructions of the transport watchdog, still got stuck in traffic especially in Mġarr where traffic stretched from Chadwick Lakes to the village core.

As people took to Facebook and Twitter to vent their frustrations, the police also issued a notice on Facebook appealing to people to avoid the area from Xemxija (by Beach Haven) through St Paul's Bypass followed by the roundabout know as tal-Erba Mwiezeb and Telgha T'Alla u Ommu including the surrounding areas.

"The traffic police are doing their utmost, but we also need you co-operation. This is due to roadworks along the Coast Road. In the meantime those in the area who are at a stand still, we ask you to keep calm."

Traffic had completely cleared up by 11.15am.

In a statement this afternoon, Transport Malta said it regretted the inconvenience caused.

It said the traffic problems in the morning highlighted the importance of the Coast Road and its commitment to upgrade it.

"This part of the Coast Road had to be closed completely. This road closure will improve the deadline by around three weeks and will avoid future total closures in more critical times."

TM said that two layers of asphalt, 120mm in all, were being applied to the highest European standard. Traffic could not pass on the binder course but works and asphalting continued at night yesterday.

TM urged drivers to avoid the area and use alternative routes, through Mġarr Bypass, Mosta and Birkirkara.

It said it was vigilant on the working contractors, who were collaborating fully.

"Works are on schedule and the road will be open again on Friday morning," it said.

ST PAUL'S BAY COUNCIL CALLS FOR ACTION FOR SITUATION NOT TO BE REPEATED

In a statement, the St Paul’s Bay council said that while it acknowledged that work had to be done, it could not accept the damage it was causing the locality, its residents, business owners and visitors.

The traffic situation this morning, it said, was frightening with cars not moving at all at certain times. There was congestion everyone, chaos and constant honking of horns.

It appealed to Transport Malta and the police to take the necessary steps for the situation not to be repeated.

It said it was clear that not all that could have been done was done for the traffic to be managed well.

A stark statement calling on people to avoid the Coast Road was surely not the way to avoid problems as this would increase traffic problems in St Paul’s Bay.

Moreover, it was useless to ask drivers to use alternative roads if these were chock full of traffic.

It called on the police commissioner to increase police presence in the area saying four were not enough to control the traffic that had gathered this morning.

It also appealed for it to be consulted in future for similar situations to be avoided through better planning.

Share your experience by sending an e-mail to keith.micallef@timesofmalta.com

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