Completed just a few years ago with much boasting that this was the “new way” of doing roads that would last for years and years, the Birguma Bypass has been broken up to build a roundabout at its lower end.

And, in a few weeks’ time, it will be broken up at the other end to build yet another roundabout.

Replying to questions by this newspaper, a spokesperson for the ADT said: “Following a number of discussions held between the Malta Transport Authority’s Network Infrastructure and the Gharghur and Naxxar local councils, it was decided that in order to ease access from the Triq Birguma area and from Gharghur, two roundabout junctions be constructed.

“Plans were drawn up and a contract was issued for the implementation of the two junctions. Work on the Triq Birguma junction has been completed. Work on the other junction will commence shortly.”

It is worth asking if such consultation could not have been made prior to the work.

The road, which is now highly popular, had a number of other issues when it was first opened. It is the only “new” road without a central strip and the slip roads by the side oblige residents to go round the long way (or risk going the wrong way) just to get to the other side of Birguma.