Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/914278
maltatoday SUNDAY 10 DECEMBER 2017 News 9 Reducing congestion "One thing which I think has to be done is to expand the road net- work and create new routes con- necting Maltese localities, starting from the outskirts," Axiaq said. "Right now there are various narrow one-lane back roads, in poor condition and not suitable for heavy use. In the future we need a network enlargement." Some key areas of Malta could only be reached using a single road, Axiaq said, the typical ex- ample being Triq Aldo Moro. Creating alternative routes to al- leviate the burden placed on these roads might be necessary, he said. "Another key issue is obeying traffic rules – their non-adher- ence causes a considerable part of the traffic problem," Axiaq said. At the centre we had a birds' eye view of the sort of issues caused by drivers who decided to do as they pleased. The Skate Park Roundabout was a case in point, as people unlaw- fully parked at the side of the road, proceeding to walk their children to a nearby school and creating an obstacle for all other cars. Several pedestrians also crossed the roads around the roundabout, despite there being an under- ground subway. The box junction rule was also widely ignored – vehicles are not allowed to enter a box junction unless the exit is free, but many drivers seem oblivious to this, leading to gridlock, as we could see on the cameras. Axiaq noted that since the De- cember introduction of penalty points, officers observed fewer contraventions, especially in bus lanes use. Variable Message Signs (VMSs) have increased in number, with digital boards around key roads giving traffic information. Transport Malta also moni- tors any breakdowns appear- ing on their screens, operating a free towing service on 8007 3399 to move cars out of the way and minimise congestion. We saw this in action, when a field officer, noticing a breakdown, dispatched a tow-truck to tackle the problem rapidly. We also noticed how a fender bender collision in Triq Sa Mai- son, Floriana, caused a traffic jam, until police asked for the cars to be moved. "Drivers have to learn to use the front-to-rear collision form when possible, instead of waiting for a warden," Axiaq emphasised. The way forward for the control centre "Our biggest handicap is not hav- ing enough cameras, but we plan to get more and have eyes on a larger portion of the island," Axiaq said. There is also an effort to increase the purposes for which the centre can be utilised. Among the possibilities are plans to have representatives from the police, the Civil Protection De- partment, and Emergency Services (112) based at the centre. The centre also has the potential to assist in the planning of mass events. "Various stakeholders involved in this year's President's Fun Run came to the control centre to use our technology to plan the routes participants would take," Axiaq said. With more cameras and greater responsibilities envisaged, the con- trol centre is set to have a larger role in improving the traffic situation. The home I really want #OneStepCloser A special fixed rate offer of 2.5% until 31 March 2020 is available for first time buyers taking a home loan of up to €300,000. Representative example of a Classic Home Loan based on a loan amount of €140,000 being made available to a first-time buyer by HSBC Bank Malta p.l.c. at a fixed borrowing interest rate of 2.5% for the first 24 months and a variable borrowing interest rate of 3% p.a. for the remaining 336 months. The APRC will be 3% p.a. The loan will be repayable in 24 equal monthly instalments of €555.83, 335 equal monthly instalments of €591.32 and one final instalment of €560.61. 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