The Malta Transport Authority is spending €372,700 (Lm160,000) to carry out permanent repairs on a number of arterial and distributory roads that were extensively damaged by heavy rainfall towards the end of last year.

Roads Minister Jesmond Mugliett yesterday visited the works being carried out on Canon Road, Sta Venera.

These works, he said, followed other permanent repairs carried out over the past weeks in several areas including Dawret Hal-Ghaxaq, It-Telgha tas-Saqqajja, Labour Avenue in Mosta and Naxxar Road, Birkirkara - an investment of about €186,350 (Lm80,000). Other permanent maintenance work is also being carried out on December 13 Road, Marsa.

Mr Mugliett said that since the Marsascala bypass and Valletta Road between Kirkop and Zurrieq were to be rebuilt later this year, maintenance works on them will be of a temporary nature.

Following the recent bad weather, the ADT had immediately appointed a contractor to urgently repair the damage caused.

The ADT, in collaboration with the Civil Protection Department and the police, identified the roads in most urgent need of repairs in order to reduce the risk of traffic accidents and remove any potential danger. Works had even been carried out in the rain, Mr Mugliett said.

He pointed out that damage was negligible on arterial, distributory and residential roads built over the past three years and funded by the EU, the Italian financial protocol and the government. This was a clear sign that the building procedures were based on international standards that helped strengthen the roads and boost road safety.