CONCERN 1 

The main connection affected by this proposal is that between Zejtun and Tarxien. An already difficult crossing has been rendered null with the conversion of the Triq Hal Tarxien (Figure 1), into one way traffic. 

 

This junction design not only eliminates an existing cycling connection, but seems to create an unsafe/bottleneck issue. As illustrated in the proposal, cars coming from Triq San Anard will only turn into Triq Hal Tarxien, is if they want to continue on triq Hal Tarxien (otherwise, they will end up back on Triq Tal-Barrani). This means that cars will have to cross 2 busy lanes in a short distance of around 130m. An safer alternative would be to direct this traffic flow into one of the two lanes coming from the Zabbar side (Figure 2). This option will free up space to allow for segregated walking and bicycle lane on the side of the Bulebel industrial area and connected to the planned traffic lights. 

 

This section of Triq Hal Tarxien does not have any existing pavements and the there is only one access gate on the side of the fields. Therefore, with two lanes instead of three, an easier exit may be planned for the field, whilst dedicating the maximum width for walking and bicycle lane on the industrial estate side. 

 

 

CONCERN 2

During the meeting, IM stated that is does not recommend use of these heavy traffic roads by pedestrians. Yet, through the re design, cyclists are forced onto the main roads and connections between the close localities, have been eliminated or ignored 

 

An ideal connection between Gudja and Tarxien would be a crossing as shown in Figure 3. This will keep pedestrians/cyclists safe and off the arterial roads, whist connecting directly to service roads on the opposite side. An alternative solution discussed during the meeting is that shown in Figure 4, whereby crossings will be added to allow access into Tarxien. However, as remarked, this is an unsafe location to cross from (yellow mark Figure 4&5) given that pedestrians and cyclists alike will be waiting along heavy moving traffic, meaning that a safe waiting area will need to be created. 

 

A similar issue and poor crossing design is that shown in Figure 6/7. This exposes pedestrians and cyclists to heavy traffic without adequate safe infrastructure. 

 

CONCERN 3

Has the existing full road width on Triq Tal-Barrani, been put to optimum use?

 

Tal-Barrani has undisputedly a very similar wall-to-wall width as Triq San Tumas in Hal Luqa (a recently upgraded road that incorporates a segregated path) for the same number of lanes. This makes it very feasible for Tal-Barrani to go through a a similar re-design, and have a segregated path that does not require widening, removing trees, or removing lanes. The segregated path would be running along Tal-Barrani like a separate road in its own right. Figure 8&9

 

We believe that the proposal has not been prepared holistically, but as a means of car traffic diversions, whilst changing quieter roads into heavy traffic roads. These works and redesign are an opportunity to offer better connections for alternative means of transport, hopefully alleviating our dependency on car usage over time.  Through further discussions and better re-design, we believe we may achieve a better proposal that takes cognizance of pedestrians and cyclists alike. If IM pushes through with this proposal, this will force out any existing bicycle commuters from the area and work against a promised improved cycling networks across Malta. 

 

CONCERN 4

Infrastructure Malta’s plan will cause the final blow to all blocked routes in the entire area below:

 

Our analysis was carried out following long processes and analysis, observations of historical maps and a deep understanding of connecting all origins and destinations seamlessly together.
It is simply about reconnecting the original road networks and keeping them separate from the modern-day realignments & new bypasses

Tal-Barrani, San Anard, and its side connection off-shooting into Santa Luċija, are all earmarked and committed in the €35 million C-SAM bicycle network announced by the government. We do not see any hard infrastructure being introduced in this project.