[WATCH] Back to school: Motorists report mixed feelings on morning traffic

Motorists caught in the early morning traffic on the first day of school do not seem to agree on whether traffic control was better this year around; while some complained of things going from bad to worse, others said they were pleased they had not been caught in traffic for long

Traffic at the Gharghur by-pass roundabout coordinated by traffic wardens
Traffic at the Gharghur by-pass roundabout coordinated by traffic wardens

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The first day of school inadvertently brings with it premonitions of miles-long traffic jams and frayed nerves, as school buses and minivans – plus numerous parents using their own cars to ferry their children to school – bring the usual slow early morning traffic to a complete standstill.

But this year – although traffic was slower than on a normal day – the situation wasn’t so dire, with traffic flowing relatively smoothly in most directions.

Over 56,000 pupils and 10,000 educators will be returning to school this week as the new scholastic year gets underway; of these 17,182 will be attending church schools – 1,023 in kindergarten, 7,840 in primary schools, 7,520 in secondary schools and 799 in sixth forms – besides 2,365 teachers, LSAs and kindergarten assistants.

A total of 31,873 students started their scholastic year in primary and secondary state schools today, together with 3,713 teachers and 2,143 learning support assistants.

Clearly present and visible at roundabouts and major intersections were numerous traffic wardens and policemen directing traffic flow efficiently.

Traffic in Lija cleared by 9am
Traffic in Lija cleared by 9am

Traffic on the Birkirkara by-pass was flowing relatively quickly and by 8.45am it had cleared nearly completely.

But as early as 6.45am, traffic was jammed in the roads between the Telgha ta’ Alla u Ommu and Naxxar and on the Gharghur by-pass.

Two wardens on the Gharghur by-pass roundabout worked well together to direct traffic to San Gwann, Ikin or Naxxar, waving their directional hand-held signals at oncoming traffic.

Traffic flow was back to normal levels by 8.30am.

Drivers had mixed feelings on status of traffic control
Drivers had mixed feelings on status of traffic control

South-bound traffic from Mosta, towards Naxxar, Lija and Birkirkara, was also backed up early on but this too seemed to flow relatively quicker than other years.

Traffic at the roundabout near Kind’s in Mosta, leading to Lija, Mosta centre or Naxxar, was also well-coordinated by a number of traffic policemen.

These roads were relatively clear of traffic by 9am.

Many car drivers complained to MaltaToday of relatively long waits in traffic, but the consensus seemed to be that things were better this year, for some reason or other.

Transport minister Joe Mizzi on Friday had announced that 50 officials would be strategically placed in traffic-prone locations to coordinate traffic control on the first morning of school.

The officials were coordinated by the Traffic Police, Transport Malta and the Local Enforcement System Agency (LESA).

Traffic police took the lead in coordinating the traffic flow, and were complemented by wardens who were also present in many locations.

The government had also promoted alternative means of transport, including sea transport, car-sharing and bicycle-sharing.

In a statement issued Monday, Alternattiva Demokratika education spokesperson Mario Mallia thanked all those who helped to have schools ready and welcoming to receive students today.

He also thanked the many LSAs and teachers who gave up so much of their time during summer to prepare themselves well for the new year.

Mallia also reiterated the need for schools to continue fostering a strong sense of reflection which accompanies action through the building of learning communities.

“It is through such communities of reflection that education can

become even more inclusive of all children”.

AD reiterated its best wishes to parents whilst urging them, in particular fathers, to be more present in their children’s educational journey.