Traffic lights replaced a roundabout in Marsa.

Getting rid of roundabouts could ease traffic flows in areas prone to congestion, Transport Minister Joe Mizzi said yesterday.

Although he would not give any details, Mr Mizzi said the Government was considering such measures to form part of a draft national transport strategy. He said it would focus mainly on the worst-hit areas, such as Marsa, Qormi and Birkirkara.

The Road Safety Department within Transport Malta was also working on a number of short-term measures and new signs have been installed and traffic light timings changed to ensure a steady flow.

Experts were studying a solution to ease traffic at the Addolorata Cemetery junction.

When Times of Malta pressed the minister to say what options the Government was looking at, Mr Mizzi replied that “all options were being considered”. He said the country needed to start favouring flyovers over roundabouts.

Work on the December 13 Road underpass in Marsa was on track and studies were in progress on the Kappara junction flyover, with work expected to start in early 2014.

All options were being considered

The department had analysed areas most prone to congestion, such as Għajn Dwieli Road, in Paola, Sir Paul Boffa Road and the roundabout close to Malta International Airport, the Naxxar Road roundabout between Birkirkara and Lija, the traffic lights junction on Mdina Road, the Manuel Dimech roundabout in Qormi, Tal-Balal Road in San Ġwann and Paceville.

Mr Mizzi said Transport Malta had concluded a parking policy but refused to divulge any of its details saying he had been given a brief but had not seen the whole document.

He said resident parking schemes, which he had suspended when Sliema council had tried to introduce one, would not be brought back.

Other options for creating more spaces were being considered, especially in business areas but, again, no details were give.

Discussions on the future of public transport operator Arriva had reached a “final and decisive” stage, Mr Mizzi said, adding that the outcome would be known “in the coming weeks”.

We are aiming to have a proper system that meet the people’s expectations

He said new routes were drawn up follow a public consultation, the Government met local councillors and read complaints and suggestions in the media.

“Our consultations did not cost millions of euros as was the case under the previous Administration, which spent nearly €1 billion on consultancy fees to reform the public transport service.

“It had raised great expectations and many mistakes were committed. Now we are aiming to have a proper system that meet the people’s expectations,” he said.

Arriva has reported that it has been losing thousands of euros a week since the removal of bendy buses and the possibility of the company leaving Malta if the losses persisted has also been touted.