Traffic enforcement in Mrieħel is set to start in October following the opening of a parking area planners hope would ease congestion caused by haphazard parking.

New traffic signs have already been put up across the industrial area, which hosts at least 6,000 employees and thousands of clients.

Very often, those commuting through the area end up stuck behind double-parked cars or unloading vehicles. Meanwhile, residents and pedestrians share the road with oncoming traffic due to pavements blocked by parked vehicles.

Tasked by the government and Mrieħel businesses to upgrade and bring some order to the area, the Central Business District Foundation devised a traffic management plan in conjunction with Transport Malta.

This includes limiting parking on some roads to one side and turning others into one-way systems. A ring road will eventually be opened.

The foundation is also discussing the possibility of introducing a route bus to the area in the near future.

The plan is expected to be set in motion soon after the start of the scholastic year as traffic management would require the deployment of enforcement officers in the area.

Haphazard parking is very common in the Mrieħel industrial area.Haphazard parking is very common in the Mrieħel industrial area.

A spokesman for the foundation said officers should be on site on October 21. However, a car park off the Wasteserv civic amenity site will be open for use next week, where commuters will be able to park at a nominal fee. The facility will be a temporary one until another piece of land is transformed into a long-term parking lot.

Limiting parking on some roads and turning others into one-way systems

The traffic management system is aimed at pre-empting the influx of more businesses in the coming years due to its designation as a location for high-rise development.

Apart from the traffic headache, the foundation is also looking into solving waste dumping issues. Rubbish is collected from businesses three times a week and the amount of trash collected grew from 6,680 tonnes in January 2017 to 92,535 tonnes last month. The rubbish collected gave the foundation a clear indication of what kind of trash is thrown out and by whom, where and in what quantities.

Attached files

With a detailed waste report in hand, the foundation is now expected to draw up a financial model for a comprehensive waste collection management plan.

However, it is faced by an ongoing problem caused by individuals from outside the area who continue to dump refuse – even sofas and bathtubs – wherever they deem fit.

The spokesman told the Times of Malta the foundation was looking into the possibility of installing surveillance cameras across the area to record illegal dumping.

A temporary car park will open next week.A temporary car park will open next week.

The plans limit parking on some roads to one side.The plans limit parking on some roads to one side.

Waste collected grew from 6,680 tonnes in January 2017 to 92,535 tonnes in August 2018. Photos provided by the Central Business District FoundationWaste collected grew from 6,680 tonnes in January 2017 to 92,535 tonnes in August 2018. Photos provided by the Central Business District Foundation

People from outside the Mrieħel industrial area continue to dump refuse – including sofas and bathtubs – wherever they deem fit.People from outside the Mrieħel industrial area continue to dump refuse – including sofas and bathtubs – wherever they deem fit.

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