Commuters are likely to find that their trips take even longer over the coming weeks, as more than 300 road works are undertaken across Malta.

The list of “ongoing road closures” on the Transport Malta website reveals that some 307 road works currently have full permits.

This represents an increase of more than 50 per cent on the 200 road works that were causing congestion six months ago.

At the time the traffic problem hit the national headlines, with Transport Minister Joe Mizzi saying he was aware that the situation was irritating for motorists and works would be carried out speedily to minimise disturbance to traffic flows. The 307 works are spread evenly across the island, and there is at least one road closure scheduled in 55 of Malta’s 68 towns and villages.

The figures are not limited to new projects and include works that have been ongoing for several months, such as the extensive Coast Road project. However, the vast majority of works, 80 per cent, were issued a permit in recent weeks.

Busy traffic spots such as Birkirkara, Marsa and Mosta each have eight works approved

A closer look at the data reveals that despite its small size, Vittoriosa has the most road closures. Thirty-four of the city’s winding streets are to be partially or fully sealed off. However, these are mostly linked to repaving as part of a regeneration of the locality.

Next up is Victoria, Gozo, with 16 road works, followed by Rabat in Malta with 13 different roads either currently closed off or set to be in the coming days.

Many of the works are being carried out speedily, and eight different projects that were approved a few weeks ago in Ħamrun have already been finalised.

Busy traffic spots such as Birkirkara, Marsa and Mosta all have eight works approved for the same time.

And while Naxxar has 12 scheduled closures, these are half the number that was ongoing up until a week ago.