'Anticipate safety risks': Msida local council slams Infrastructure Malta
Council claims state agency 'ignores' complaints, urges 'greater seriousness' in Msida Creek project
Msida local council has slammed Infrastructure Malta for failing to anticipate safety risks during ongoing road works and "ignoring" its complaints, saying action was only taken after concerns were flagged on social media.
In a Facebook post, the council pointed out that Infrastructure Malta only reacted to complaints of lack of pedestrian safety in Rue d’Argens Street after the mayor had uploaded a video highlighting the danger “caused by negligence” and “not immediately as claimed”.
On Saturday a contractor working on the Msida Creek project was fined for closing off pedestrian access after inspectors from the state agency found pedestrian passageways “did not meet required safety standards”.
On Monday the council said it “continuously” submits complaints to Infrastructure Malta but they “often fall on deaf ears and are completely ignored”.
It insisted that during the works, both Infrastructure Malta and the Occupational Health and Safety Authority should ensure that there is “no danger to either pedestrians or drivers”.
“Seriousness demands that the authority anticipates issues and ensures safe passageways for both pedestrians and drivers before complaints start to arise,” the council said.
“Unfortunately, this is not happening, and action is often only taken after several complaints or media reports.”
The pedestrian access to Rue D’Argens Street was closed after excavation works began on Thursday in front of the band club, creating what Msida local council described as a “serious danger” for people walking in the area.
The council sent an “urgent complaint” to Transport Minister Chris Bonett, the CEO of Infrastructure Malta and other concerned parties, including footage showing how a person had to walk right next to moving cars.
“In some cases, buses encountering pedestrians had to stop and wait for them to pass because there was not enough space to continue their route safely,” the council pointed out.
The council added that the danger was redressed “only after” the mayor Charles Selvaggi and another councillor went on site and uploaded a video about the hazardous situation.
“The council deplores the fact that, in order for action to be taken on dangerous situations – which Infrastructure Malta, as the responsible authority, has the duty and obligation to prevent – it has to resort to social media and expose the seriousness of the negligence.”
It added that fine will not prevent accidents nor solve problems.
“What is needed is greater seriousness”.