Gozitans up in arms over road closure of George Borg Olivier Street

The Gozo Business Chamber and the Gozo Tourism Association have expressed their frustration at the closure of the George Borg Olivier Street in Mellieha.

The organisations said that the Local Council of Mellieha

The Local Council of Mellieha has ordered the closure of the road leading from Ghadira Bay to Mellieha at the roundabout of The Sea Bank Hotel to anyone trying to access it, except for residents of Mellieha.

"This arrangement will be a repeat of the congestions previously experienced,  whereby  the traffic flow coming from Gozo will  congest in this area and the average trip for the  Gozitans and tourists will  increase by another 20 to 30 extra minutes," the two organisations said.

"These congestions will definitely pay their toll on those tourists and Gozitans alike who will consequently miss their flights and other important appointments that they have in Malta."

The GTA and the chamber added that it would be practically impossible for an ambulance to enter the area should an accident happen on that road.

Both the Gozo Business Chamber and The Gozo Tourism Association urged the authorities to intervene to stop immediately this  traffic arrangement.

They said that alternative arrangements were possible, to alleviate the traffic flow until the construction of the Mellieha by pass is finished.

Both entities are suggesting that the limited parking slots up in George Borg Olivier street are removed in order to avoid traffic congestions.

"Another solution would be for the south bound traffic from Cirkewwa to pass through George Borg Olivier Street, while the north bound traffic to Cirkewwa could pass through the single carriageway on the newly-rebuilt bypass," they said.

The chamber and the GTA also lamented over the fact that none of them had been consulted on the traffic arrangements.