Lights out

I am sure that any driver or pedestrian would agree that there are two major hazards where traffic lights are in position. These are, firstly, motorists who ignore a red light, and secondly (and equally dangerous) lights which are not functioning.

Traffic lights erected at a junction provide drivers with clear instructions with regard to the direction and flow of traffic. On the other hand, disfunctional lights, particularly at a spot where those lights had directed the flow of traffic for a considerable time, bring back the motorists' uncertainty which those lights had in the first place been intended to address.

One such spot where traffic lights justifiably controlled the flow of traffic was the top of Sliema Road in Kappara. These useful lights however have been disfunctional since the beginning of summer. During these recent months motorists as well as residents have come to appreciate the safety provided when the lights were operational.

In addition to controlling the flow of traffic, these lights in particular created a pause in traffic in a road where motorists zoom down a residential road which includes a number of blind spots to pedestrians. Before the summer school recess I had found the lights useful when crossing Sliema Road with my children to wait for the school bus on the other side of the road. Now that school has reconvened, I find myself holding my breath when crossing the road without the pause in traffic which I had previously relied on.

Further to the removal of safety for pedestrians, the disfunctional lights have also created a chorus of hooting horns and screeching brakes when residents attempt to manoeuvre their cars into the various garages that are located in Sliema Road. When the lights were operational, the pause in traffic provided residents with sufficient time to safely reverse their car into their garages.

In view of my concern, I have enquired into the plans for these lights with the local council on a number of occasions. The council however seems to be unsure of these plans, sometimes explaining that the lights have been extensively damaged, on other occasions explaining that a roundabout is to replace the lights, while on other occasions explaining that the matter is not in their jurisdiction.

The situation is that a serious accident involving pedestrians may occur, so I strongly recommend to the authority or department concerned that these lights be reactivated.