Who is responsible to ensure that roadworks contractors do not cause obstacles to drivers? A contractor doing work on the Mrieħel Bypass, next to the Progress Press printing plant, does not seem to care much about drivers for the barriers he is placing along the trench that has already been dug up are not filled in with water or sand.

The result is that a few barriers end up protruding into the inner lane of the bypass.

As I was overtaking a trailer the other day, I was unlucky enough to crash into one of them. I thought this could have fallen from a truck. When I finished work I went to Gasan Zammit and bought the car parts that amounted to over €360.

The following day, I was again driving along the bypass, this time paying extra attention to the side of the road, and noticed that the barriers had stones on them. After work, I decided to go on the spot and took some photographs because I realised that this was pure negligence on the part of the contractor.

I can very well file an insurance claim but this would work against me because I will stand to lose the no-claim bonus.

So, what should I do? Is it fair that due to the sheer negligence of a contractor, I find myself having to pay such a sum to repair the damage caused to my car?

As can be seen from the photo (above), the workers tried to keep the barriers in place by placing stones on them. This is ridiculous for a gust of wind can easily knock a barrier out of place.

Any suggestions as to what I should do now?