The work on the complete renewal of the St Paul’s Bay Bypass is taking too long and is already over-budget, claimed Labour spokesman Charles Buhagiar at a press conference held on site.

The road was badly constructed by a Labour administration in the 1980s since it was laid on a shaky basis and predictably parts of it collapsed when a local developer, dug too near its foundations.

Mr Buhagiar said the roadworks, which should have cost Lm2.5 million in all, have to date cost more than Lm3 million. He said there was no proper planning and claimed this was admitted by German expert Prof. Semar when speaking to the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament.

The roadworks have put a great stress on those who want to access the north of Malta or go to Gozo, Mr Buhagiar said, urging the completion of works by the original deadline, May. He also urged the resolution of the damages claims against the local and well-known developer.