I am not very happy with the new zebra crossing at the foot of Ġilormu Cassar Avenue, Valletta.

I quote from page 198 of the Manual on Roads and Traffic in Urban Areas, produced by the Institution of Highways and Transportation with the Department of Transport (UK “Where the carriageway is more than 10m wide, provision of a central refuge should be considered either integral with, or as an alternative to, a zebra crossing.

“Where both a central refuge and a crossing are provided, pedestrians should be encouraged to treat each side of the street as the separate crossings which they are.”.

A longish and tapered central refuge would enable the two half-crossings to be staggered, improving safety and cutting down waiting time to traffic and pedestrians. The manual also stipulates staggering where the carriageway width exceeds 15m. The reported comments of the former Transport Minister Ċensu Galea on the location of the crossing also make good sense.

I do not have any figures for anticipated traffic and pedestrian peak flows but if these are considerable it may be preferable to upgrade the zebra crossing to a staggered pelican crossing (acronym: PEdestrian LIght CONtrolled).

While on the subject, I would like to point out the extremely badly controlled pelican light on Tower Road Sliema c/w Old College Street. This has no provision for “bunching” of pedestrians and stops traffic for every single pedestrian demand. It causes continuous traffic jams and I have personally observed it turning red three times in the short stretch from the bend to Old College Street.

A dedicated lane for traffic turning into Old College Street while Tower Road traffic is held up could also be provided, reducing delays.