Mellieħa Mayor: It Is Time To Start Working On Alternatives To Decrease Traffic In Certain Roads
The mayor of Mellieħa has called for work to begin on alternatives to find a real solution to the traffic his locality faces regularly.
“The time has come to start working on alternatives to decrease the traffic in certain streets, among them in Manikata – the closure of that road showed just how many cars pass through it daily,” mayor Dario Vella told Lovin Malta.
The northern town came to a standstill after a busy road was closed due to works last Friday, with one councillor, Gabriel Micallef, saying the council hadn’t been properly informed in advance, leading to visitors and residents getting gridlocked for hours.
“When an important project is going to begin, and we need to close some main roads, the local council should be informed, as well as being invited to any meetings that are being held, so that we can share our thoughts as a council,” Vella said, going on to recognise that the works are needed – but better communication must also be present.
“I understand the importance of projects aimed at bettering everyone’s quality of life and I thank the entities for the work they do every day.”
“As a local council, we’ve been left on our own. The authorities do what they want, without consulting anyone,” Mellieħa councillor Gabriel Micallef told Lovin Malta following the incident.
PN MP Ivan Castillo echoed his sentiment, saying: “The situation has become ridiculous and completely out of control.”
“And this is not something new, we all know that when Manikata or Xemxija closes chaos ensues!” he told Lovin Malta. “This was badly planned, and Infrastructure Malta needs to take stock and responsibility for this!”
Castillo pointed out the real life effects these projects can have if forward planning isn’t done in time.
“It has a horrible impact on business – I had one restaurant owner calling me to tell me that he’s just had six cancellations in an hour from diners who were stuck in traffic, could not get to Mellieħa, and just went back home…”
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