MP complains as Mizzi gives ‘copy and paste’ answers to her traffic questions

Opposition MP Kristy Debono called out transport minister Joe Mizzi after he used the exact same answer for a series of her parliamentary questions on recent traffic diversions in San Gwann.

“It’s unfair on residents and businesses who have been impacted by the diversion for Mizzi to simply cut and paste the same answer for all my PQs,” she said during question time. 

Mizzi wasn't present at the sitting and his answers were read out by education minister Evarist Bartolo in his stead.

Through the diversion, traffic that used to pass through the roundabout at Vjal ir-Rihan is now being diverted around the block, onto Triq Salvu Busuttil and Triq Caruana Dingli. The changes were introduced to prepare San Gwann for the traffic influx that it is set to receive upon the closure of the Kappara junction.

In his answer, Mizzi said that Transport Malta and Roads Directorate officials had held a number of meetings with the San Gwann local council and the small business council (GRTU) about the diversions.

He added that the roadworks took place according to the “applicable standards” and that Transport Malta officials are continuously monitoring the traffic situation.

“The roadworks on roads that have been identified as alternative routes for the duration of the Kappara Junction project are practically complete, and that the complete traffic management plan will be published in the coming weeks,” he said. “We will explain in detail all the alternative routes and diversions in San Gwann, St Julian’s, Sliema, Gzira, Swatar, Birkirkara, Ta’ Xbiex, Madliena, Swieqi, Msida and Gharghur. All the costs in relation to the project will be published at the opportune moment.” He added that Transport Malta has published details on social media and recently posted booklets about the project to people’s homes.

However, Debono was displeased with Mizzi’s answer, arguing that it didn’t answer some of her questions “at any stretch of the imagination”.

Those questions related to public transport routes impacted by the diversion and costs and timelines related to the Kappara Junction project.