Updated 1.12 p.m.

Transport Malta said this morning that it had not issued a permit for works near Xemxija Bypass rounadbout which caused delays for motorists in the area this morning.

"The nature of the works does not appear to justify emergency procedures and therefore TM’s permit was necessary. We are currently investigating the matter.   As a rule, Transport Malta discourages non-urgent works before 9am during weekdays," the Authority said. 

With regard to delays experienced by motorists along the Sta Venera Bypass, TM said the delays were not related to the works because the contractor opened the road to traffic early in the morning.  It said that the works had to be carried out at night and will continue tonight with the laying of asphalt.  The road will be open to traffic early tomorrow morning.

 Earlier today timersofmalta.com reported how motorists faced traffic nightmares this morning in two parts of Malta.

A reader sent the picture above of a crane blocking one of the lanes near the Xemxija Bypass. The picture was taken at 8.30 a.m. A large trailer and the crane were removing a bill board. The reader said a 1km traffic jam built up.

"What's more concerning is that there were no traffic wardens or any Transport Malta officials to control the situation," the reader said, wondering whether the crane operator had a permit to carry out the works at such a sensitive time.

Long traffic jams also developed this morning in the approaches to the south-bound Sta Venera tunnel, with one reader saying the tailback snaked all the way along Birkirkara bypass and on to Mosta. According to readers, part of the tunnel carriageway was closed because of road works.