New measures to alleviate the traffic problem for drivers living in the Cottonera area will be introduced on Monday, a statement issued by the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure said.

The Mediterranean Maritime Hub will provide a one-way temporary route out of Cottonera. This, Minister Mizzi believes, will relieve the problem of morning traffic arising from Kalkara, Xgħajra, Zabbar, Fgura and Paola in the direction towards Valletta. 

Temporary access will be open to private vehicles but not for large vehicles. It will be open between Monday and Friday between 6am and 9.30am.

This road will be used temporarily until the completion of infrastructural work on an alternative route, which was provided by the Mediterranean Maritime Hub after agreeing to give up part of the perimeter of their private land in order to be developed into a new road, according to the government statement.

The statement said that the ministry had already began preparatory work to create an independent path passing between the old warehouses of Malta Shipbuilding and the fence on Sir Paul Boffa Avenue. It is their intention that the road should function as a ‘tidal lane’ to connect Paola with Albert Town.

Chairman of Transport Malta, James Piscopo thanked all those who worked on this short term practical solution. He reiterated Transport Malta’s commitment in finding and implementing short term solutions in order to alleviate the current traffic problem, whilst also calling for the need for grater investment in infrastructure and other modes of transport.