Traffic builds around Mellieħa as hillclimb shuts off part of bypass

Heavy traffic has built up around Mellieħa today as a section of the Mellieħa Bypass is closed for the ICC National Hillclimb Championship.

The Mellieħa Local Council took to Facebook to provide an overview of the roads on Sunday, stating that there will be closures covering part of Triq Lewis Wettinger, between the kilometre point near Triq Edward Camilleri and the point near Triq il-Marfa. 

Transport Malta officials are meant to be present on site to direct traffic.

Sunday's round runs from 7am to 5pm on Sunday 11 October, with the championship held around Dawret il-Mellieħa.

A hillclimb is a motorsport event in which drivers race one at a time up a set course, and the competitor with the shortest time from start line to finish line wins.

The Island Car Club (ICC) organises the local championship under rules based on those of the European Hillclimbing Championship, which the FIA controls. The club also runs the Valletta Gran Prix and the Mellieħa Motorsports Festival.

Sunday's round runs from 7am to 5pm on Sunday 11 October, with the championship held around Dawret il-Mellieħa

Drivers can still reach Popeye Village, as Triq il-Prajjiet remains open and Bus route 101 is unaffected. 

However, Triq is-Santwarju operates one-way, outbound only. Parking is available at Triq Ġorġ Borg Olivier and Triq Ġnien Ingraw.

Officials are also stationed at four points: Triq Ġorġ Borg Olivier, the corner of Triq Lewis Wettinger and Triq il-Kbira, the corner of Triq Lewis Wettinger and Triq il-Mellieħa, and the corner of Triq il-Marfa and Dawret il-Mellieħa.