This New Billboard Is A Hazard To Pedestrians And Cyclists
A new billboard erected on a pavement in Għajn Dwieli Road, just outside the tunnels leading to Bormla, has infuriated several cyclists and pedestrians.
Jonathan Sammut, who uses the path to cycle to work and back, told Lovin Malta he reported the matter to Transport Malta earlier this week, asking for the billboard to be removed and the people behind it fined for creating such a dangerous hazard.
“This billboard completely blocks the pavement. A pedestrian on the pavement wanting to walk past it, now has to either bow down beneath it so as not to hit his/her head against it, or step into the road, risking being hit by a car,” he said.
“Moreover, the lower outer corner of this billboard protrudes right to the outside edge of the pavement, and this could easily kill any motorist or biker skidding in the area. This is surely unacceptable.”
Transport Malta told Mr Sammut that billboards were the responsibility of the Planning Authority. When he reported the matter to PA, he was told he had to report it online with the coordinates of the road and the exact locality responsible for the area.
“I don’t know these details. I tried telling them they cannot miss this monstrosity if they drive down past Għajn Dwieli Road towards the tunnels leading to Bormla but they told me they cannot act on this as it lacks all the details they require,” he said.
Lovin Malta has contacted Transport Malta and the Planning Authority for comment.
Meanwhile, this morning already saw three accidents involving pedestrians and cyclists. According to Times of Malta, the separate incidents happened in Paola, Mellieħa and Mosta, leaving two cyclists and a pedestrian with grievous injuries.
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