Bernard Busuttil’s report entitled Closed junction makes Birzebbuga residents drive an extra 7km – mayor (TMID, 17 September), recounted the Birzebbuga mayor’s comments about delays in the above works.

The works in question were originally intended to consist of the laying of a new rising main for the Birzebbuga sewage pumping station. However, the Water Services Corporation decided that once the trench was being dug, the old water main was also to be replaced by a new main. Had these works proceeded in this way, it would have meant that only 100 metre sections would have been opened at any time, thus causing the least inconvenience to motorists and residents.

However, just before works were started, we were asked by Enemalta Corporation whether they could use our trench to lay a new high tension cable. We agreed to Enemalta’s request although this required a wider trench and it also meant that we could no longer work in 100 metre stretches as electrical cable is laid in long sections up to 400 metres (to avoid excessive splicing). This meant that a much longer stretch of trench had to be left exposed.

The above decision was a responsible collective one we took to avoid inconveniencing the public three times instead of just once. We understand that motorists and residents are frustrated, but we could not take the risk of allowing traffic to pass alongside a long open trench. This is why for the sake of public safety and security a deviation was agreed upon with the Malta Transport Authority.

We feel the report was unfair to the Water Services Corporation and regret that we were not consulted for our version before your going to print with only one side of the story.

Stephen Zerafa

Head Public Relations

Water Services Corporation