Welcome to the hole-y land

When a storm pummels the island, roads get such a good beating they emerge like a bruised boxer, and no matter how much patchwork is done, rain continues to turn Malta's roads into obstacle courses.

The government announced a six-day blitz to repair the roads, but this has yet to convince cynic motorists who have ruined their car suspensions.

In the past days it has become a common sight to see three or four car owners changing their tyres alongside each other, after driving into the same pothole, which is disguised by brimming rainwater. In other cases, tow trucks are called in, adding to the chaos on the roads.

Inspired by people's complaints, the timesofmalta.com website took to the streets to try to find Malta's worst road. With 124 potholes, Sliema Road, San Ġwann could qualify for the dubious trophy, but the feedback from readers showed this not the exception, but the rule. Many submitted their entry for Malta's worst road tagged with angry comments calling for proper action.

Speaking to The Sunday Times, a San Ġwann elderly resident said that in the last 27 years he had never seen such gaping potholes. Another resident said by the time a car reached the end of the road it has "turned into spare parts".

Motorists may be cursing the authorities, but the situation has raked in good business for tow trucks. In the past two weeks, 65 per cent of the calls to roadside assistance company MET were made to deal with punctures - a situation the director described as "exaggerated" and "unusual".

RMF, another leading towing company, also reported a big increase in the number of repairs carried out on vehicles after the recent rains. A company spokesman said they were called to repair punctures but then discovered that the suspension and steering systems were also damaged.

He said many drivers were trying to avoid the "craters" at the risk of having an accident. In one case, a motorcyclist flew off his bike after it hit a hole, breaking the rim of the wheel.

Infrastructure Minister Austin Gatt last week proposed a "very small unit" to oversee the placement of proper signs to warn drivers in good time of large potholes was set up.

Speaking in Parliament on the failures of road repair, especially after storms, he said it was time for a radical change, to get good value for money for the €35 million spent on road maintenance each year.

While road repairs are now underway, one wonders whether they will have any permanency.

If you have had a bad experience on the road send your photos, videos and comments to mynews@timesofmalta.com.