I am relieved, to say the least, that the authorities are finally implementing a long-lasting solution to the gridlock, noise and pollution difficulties faced by Attard residents for many years.

The project announced by Transport Minister Ian Borg is, literally, a breath of fresh air for many families living in Triq in-Nutar Zarb and nearby streets in the heart of Attard.

The proposed project, including the upgrading of the arterial road network cutting through our locality with the development of new lanes and faster junctions, will finally alleviate the problems faced by many families who wake up every morning to traffic jams on their doorstep. It will hopefully bring back some tranquillity to many residential roads being used by thousands of drivers to avoid the narrow, slow arterial roads we have today.

The minister said the project will improve the daily journey of some 30,000 commuters. I say it will also be a blessing for thousands more, including the families living in Attard, Balzan and Birkirkara. Previous administrations have known about the need for this investment for over 12 years.

The project was included in Attard’s local plans as far back as 2006. However, for some reason, the plans to improve the well-being of our locality were shelved. No one ever tried to implement it until the young minister came along following last June’s election.

To add insult to injury, Nationalist Party deputy leader David Agius is insulting residents by vehemently opposing this national project.

I cannot understand how he, like me a former Attard local councillor, seems to have forgotten the long-standing concerns of the residents of our locality.

I would have expected him to take the government to task for not implementing this project several years ago.

Instead, he seeks to score cheap political points by encouraging people to oppose the project. I do hope he realises Attard residents deserve better.

I thank the minister and many other government and Opposition MPs who have already expressed their support to the project.

Let’s try and put partisan politics aside and work to improve the returns of this project rather than find excuses to obstruct it.