Poor quality control by contractors is one of the main causes of Malta’s poor quality road network, James Xuereb, the local representative of an Italian paving company told the Times of Malta.

Mr Xuereb says that contractors often use inferior materials to skimp on costs. This also added further burden on the taxpayer, as the roads have to be repaved more often.

He said that many contractors used old mixers and equipment, which meant that the asphalt was not properly mixed.

Mr Xuereb also identified the lack of proper maintenance as being another culprit for the potholes that feature on many of Malta’s roads.

Roads need to be maintained regularly in order to remain in good condition, he explained, noting that this maintenance appeared to be lacking on many local roads.

The paving expert identified the Water Services Corporation as being one of the main culprits when it came to damaging roads.

One of the main culprits is the Water Services Corporation, which uses cold asphalt to patch roads after digging them to carry out works on water pipes

He said that the corporation used cold asphalt to patch roads after it dug them up to carry out works on water pipes. Cold asphalt is only meant as a temporary solution, Mr Xuereb said.

Cold asphalt is marketed as a “make-do” product that is meant for temporary emergency repairs.

The softness of the cold asphalt material used means that it is easily penetrated by rainwater, which eventually leads to the formation of potholes.

Mr Xuereb said that he had explained to various ministers, local councils and Transport Malta that the cold tarmac solution does not work, but his appeals for long-term solutions such as those offered by the company he represents had fallen on deaf ears.

A recent Transport Malta“trial” using a “relatively new technology in road building in Malta”, according to a spokesman, ended in disaster when the asphalt warped.

The spokesman said that Transport Malta no longer used tarmac on any roads. Asphalt concrete was used instead.

The micro-surfacing technology was used by a contractor engaged by Transport Malta at Triq il-Marina in Pieta and Testaferrata Street in Gzira. Both roads suffered significant damage within a few weeks of the asphalt being laid down.

Transport Malta told this paper that the contractor is in talks with its foreign supplier in order to correct the damage done.