Motorists heading towards Golden Bay in recent days had to negotiate their way through an improvised obstacle course as metal drums, bamboo sticks and even plastic water pipes replaced traffic cones following emergency road works.

Apart from the potential safety risks posed by these objects – which were haphazardly placed right in the middle of the road leading from Xemxija to Golden Bay – the level of the works left much to be desired, as concrete was used rather than asphalt.

Contacted by Times of Malta, the St Paul’s Bay local council confirmed it had carried out the “emergency works” saying it needed to act fast to repair the potholes caused by the heavy downfall of recent days.

The council insisted it had no alternative as the original ones had been stolen

The council justified the use of concrete, saying it was only used for deep potholes which were full of water, and had cost just €18.

Regarding the ‘improvised cones’ the council insisted it had no alternative as the original ones had been stolen and a decision was taken to replace them with metal drums. The spokesman said these objects were later removed by a council supervisor.

However, sources contradicted the council’s statement, saying that at no time were traffic cones used. Questions over whether Transport Malta had been informed on these works were not answered.