Motorists are questioning the new traffic arrangements on the outskirts of Naxxar, saying that these are bound to increase the traffic jams in the area.

Motorists coming from San Gwann are no longer allowed to turn right to Birguma, but have to continue driving towards Naxxar and make a U-turn back at the roundabout near the GS Stores.

Those coming from the Naxxar fair grounds are no longer allowed to turn at the GS Stores roundabout but will have to do so at the second roundabout that leads to Birguma.

This all means that motorists will have to travel a longer distance towards their destination, meaning that the possibility of slower traffic flows is being anticipated.

As the new arrangements would have it, instead of two roundabouts there is now one, longer roundabout which, motorists say, will add to the problems. Suffice to say that on Saturday, traffic was brought to a standstill on the road from San Gwann to Naxxar when the new system came into place.

"It seems that the authorities are testing the system," one motorist commented, "seeing that the roundabouts are blocked by bollards that can easily be removed. But is is unlikely that it will bring about a better flow."