Traffic congestion in Victoria

Although applied and re-directed many times, the one-way traffic system in Victoria is ineffective, as it complicates and lengthens traffic distance. Dr Alfred Grech told The Sunday Times.

Dr Grech said that since buses can go against the one-way flow, this creates even greater confusion on the roads.

He said that in the Seventies it was proposed to build a bypass across the centre of Victoria, joining up to Viani Street. However this would have affected property owners who would never agree to give up their property for what the government could pay in compensation, and so the idea was dropped, he said.

"The Nationalist administration has defaulted miserably in this," he said. As for the Victoria council, he said: "It seems to be more interested in creating more congestion than there is." He referred to a palm tree, planted in front of a shop in Palm Street. "Instead of clearing up space, even at the expense of private property, they have opted to clutter up and occupy the little open space there is."

Dr Grech suggested opening a circular road so that traffic crossing the island does not have to pass through Victoria's centre. "Bypassing the city centre is essential to ease traffic congestion," he said

Dr Grech explained that heavy vehicles, such as buses and lorries, should never be allowed to pas through Republic Street and Independence and Savina squares.

"Light vehicles and cars are not so much of a problem here. It is only the larger vehicles for which the narrow and winding streets of Victoria are not made, that are the real threat."

He added that responsible traffic direction and management, in terms of traffic wardens, and more parking spaces is also required to alleviate traffic congestion.