Joseph Muscat shifted the onus for better traffic management onto the transport watchdog and the police as State and Church schools re-open today.

Acknowledging there was “no magical solution” to congested roads, the Prime Minister expressed his hope traffic will be managed well by Transport Malta and the police.

He was asked about the expected traffic congestion during an interview on One TV, the Labour Party station, which was recorded on Friday and broadcast yesterday.

Dr Muscat said talks were held between the transport regulator, the police and educational authorities for better coordination to mitigate the traffic congestion caused by schools re-opening after the summer. He said police and Transport Malta officials would be present at particular junctions to coordinate traffic flow.

“There is no magical solution [but]... Transport Malta and the police have a big responsibility to ensure discipline on the roads,” he said.

Transport Minister Joe Mizzi yesterday urged drivers to plan trips ahead in an attempt to prevent too much traffic building up.

Mr Mizzi last week met with the traffic management committee, made up of officials from the police, GRTU and Transport Malta, to discuss traffic management and security on the roads.

During the meeting, he asked for more patrolling of roads by the police, especially during rush hours.