Commuters to Birzebbuga were in for a nasty surprise this week as the main thoroughfare to the village was closed at the junction known as “Tat-Tlett Sigriet” and had to drive through the Marsaxlokk to go to Birzebbuga.

Speaking at a press conference under the now-famed three trees, Birzebbuga mayor Joseph Farrugia said the closure is a case of discrimination against the 9,270 villagers, 3,000 summer residents and Freeport workers who have to drive an extra seven kilometres to get into Birzebbuga. Alternative routes include a drive through Marsaxlokk, its seafront, up the hill near San Lucjan tower, down the bumpy road leading to Qajjenza, or a comfortable ride past Malta International Airport to Hal Far Road, both of which are rather lengthy detours. There are also a couple of potholed country roads which one can use.

Ghar Dalam Road has been closed because of work carried out by the Water Services Corporation. Mr Farrugia said works started after the council made no objection, however, the corporation had never proposed the closure of the road.

“The laying of pipes started some five months ago,” said the mayor, “and have only covered a small portion of the road. Now they have started a new part and WSC decided to close the road off completely. WSC chairman Michael Falzon should bear the responsibility of this great inconvenience.”

A lady who was driving past the junction upon seeing the media gathered on site parked on the side and recounted how she is really cross about the situation. She lives a couple of hundred metres down the junction and has to drive alonng one of the abovementioned routes to go home. To top it all, she has a disabled child, whose school bus has already confirmed that it will not be taking the detours and will be dropping him off at the junction.

The mayor took the queue to further highlight residents’ bad experiences and said, “We always know when such works start, but the end is never in sight.”