The first rainfall this autumn may confine Albert Muscat to his home as the potholed road leading to it would be under water for days.

Sadly, this will not be the first time that the 72-year-old with mobility issues will not be able to get out of his house, because the road has been in this state for 20 years, his wife Violet said.

She last e-mailed the Transport Authority in August, following the unseasonal rains which left her husband housebound for four days.

She has not yet heard from them since, but this newspaper was told that work on the road should start in a within weeks.

The road, Sqaq Ta’ B’Xejn in the limits of Żurrieq, is riddled with potholes. It is dangerous even on a sunny day, because it is uneven in some spots and has loose stones in others. Apart from the two pensioners, and  another resident, the road is used by farmers.

When it rains, the sides of the road curve up and it starts to resemble a pond, which makes it impossible for Mr Muscat to get out. 

When contacted, the National Commission for Disabled People confirmed it received a complaint in May of 2012, and said it had drawn the attention of the locality’s council, the Transport Ministry and Transport Malta.

It expressed its disappointment that a person with a disability who lived there was still facing such difficulties. Meanwhile, Żurrieq mayor Natius Farrugia said that European funds have been allocated for the asphalting of the road.

This was confirmed by the Infrastructure Ministry. The road, she said, was one of 73 rural roads that will be resurfaced partly funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.  The timeframe for the completion of works on these roads is November.  Works at Sqaq ta’ B’Xejn should start in the coming weeks and the contractor had already been appointed, she added.