The Transport Ministry has said that the Mellieha bypass will remain four lanes, following public concern raised over projected plans.

Recent news reports read that plans were underway to narrow part of the Mellieha bypass (Triq Louis Wettinger) to a single lane in order to make way for a road to serve a private development.  A petition by residents and frequent users of the Mellieha bypass was even making the rounds, asking "Why are you taking away what belongs to the general public in order to fulfil businessmen aspirations?"

The Transport Ministry, in a statement, has now said that a solution was found not to reduce the number of existing lanes, and argued that the plans to reduce the road were made years ago to reduce the risk of traffic accidents.

The ministry said that plans established years ago to reduce incidents on the Mellieha bypass. Through these plans, the ministry said, the bypass was going to reduce from four to three lanes, two going towards Cirkewwa and one towards St Paul's Bay.

Transport Minister Borg over the past days heard residents' concerns, and asked for the plans to be revised to find a better solution, a government statement read.

The ministry said that architects with the Road and Infrastructure Directorate modified the plans to overcome the difficulties without shrinking the road. The statement read that traffic accident avoidance measures will still be introduced, and so will bicycle friendly facilities.