Frustrations over traffic congestion in the northwest of the island reached boiling point yesterday, with drivers facing tortuous public holiday jams because of seemingly never-ending road works and a cycling race.
I appreciate the need to upgrade the roads, but the handling of it has been a shambolic mess
The much-maligned diversions in the Mellieħa area due to the reconstruction of the Mellieħa Bypass and Marfa Road were the source of much frustration, as people flocked to the area for day trips andweekend breaks.
Photographer Alan Carville told The Sunday Times he was trapped for about an hour yesterday morning after going to Mellieħa to buy supplies for a camping trip.
He found part of the bypass diversion route near to Popeye Village was blocked at one end and vehicles trying to turn around blocked traffic moving in the other direction.
Traffic was also unable to use the road that passes by the Seabank Hotel, so he was practically stuck in Mellieħa.
Elsewhere in the region, further delays were caused yesterday by the St Paul’s Bypass Road Race, which forms part of the Tour ta’ Malta cycling event.
One driver told The Sunday Times it took him one-and-half hours to get from St Julian’s to Għajn Tuffieħa due to the cycling race.
He was forced to travel via Mosta, where he said cars heading for the island’s popular sandy beaches were bumper-to-bumper in traffic jams.
His original destination was Golden Bay but the road leading there was also closed due to the race. He expressed frustration that such an event was held on a busypublic holiday.
The Mellieħa Bypass and Marfa Road works form part of the European Ten-T projects which are being overseen by Transport Malta.
In total, six large-scale road reconstruction projects are currently taking place, with drivers often complaining of delays and confusing diversions in the affected areas.
Transport Minister Austin Gatt has said all these projects should be completed by the end of the year.
Mellieħa mayor Robert Cutajar said that while he understood the frustrations of day-trippers, Mellieħa residents were also frustrated because drivers heading to and from Gozo were ignoring diversion signs and travelling through the centre of the village, causing congestion and noise pollution.
He appealed for patience, saying anew bypass was needed and everyone would benefit when the project iscomplete.
“We sat down with Transport Malta before the project and planned the diversions as best as possible. They might not be perfect but we would ask visitors to please respect the rights of residents and follow the signs,” he said.
Mr Cutajar said Transport Malta officials had told him the first carriageway of the new Mellieħa bypass will be opened at the beginning of June, which should easecongestion problems.
However, one motorist is not convinced: “I appreciate the need to upgrade the roads, but the handling of it has been a shambolic mess.
“Work is being carried out at a snail’s pace, there is no screening and the road surfaces we are being made to drive onare shameful. It is going to be terrible in summer.”