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Moonscape memory

Marsaskala residents are up in arms over a large number of would-be roads that are still crying for their first layer of tarmac, in spite of government promises to carry out works on at least ten streets per year.

Marsaskala mayor, Charlot Mifsud told MaltaToday that the council has its hands tied up because the law states that undone roads do not fall under the responsibility of local councils.

"Government is responsible for the initial construction of roads after which they pass on to the council for regular maintenance," Mr Mifsud explained.

He insisted that discussions with the Transport Minister and the Roads Department have been going on for quite some time. "We had reached an agreement that the Roads Department would do ten roads every year. If this agreement was adhered to, four months ago we should have had the first ten roads completed.”

The mayor expressed his dismay at the situation. "Some streets are so disastrous that in winter they are impossible to pass through with all the puddles and mud that gathers in them. On the other hand, in summer the dust is a complete nuisance."

The state of some roads is so appalling that it takes a four-wheel drive car to negotiate them.

In a bid to explain the situation to fuming residents, the mayor has sent a letter to every household in the effected area. "Residents blame the council for the poor state of their streets and I do not blame them. This is why I felt the need to inform each and every family about the ridiculous situation. If the council goes ahead and does the roads itself we will get the flack from the other side," Mr Mifsud said.