There are currently roadworks going on outside the Intercontinental Hotel. Last Wednesday, I had come round from St George’s Beach and wanted to turn back up the hill leading to Swieqi. I went into the one-way system and indicated to go right. As soon as I began to execute my turn, I saw two plastic blocks barring entrance. This meant that I had to carry on down the one-way system and go all the way round Paceville.

There were two Transport Malta officials there, and I suggested, quite pleasantly, that they might have put a sign to indicate that the road was closed to prevent such inconveniences for other motorists. I got a curt and rude reply from one: “Where do you want me to put it?”

I calmly suggested that, if one used common sense, a ‘no right turn’ sign could have been placed before the actual turn into the road, which would have saved people entering the one-way system.

To that, the other employee turned and said: “No… that’s not our job.” I asked what it was, and they said traffic management. I asked them whether they thought diverting traffic to stop people turning into dead ends was traffic management. They replied in unison: “No, that’s not our job.” I drove off, shaking my head in amazement. No wonder our road manners are so bad. No wonder we drive like maniacs. No wonder no one has one shred of respect for TM. What a pathetic state of affairs.

■ Graham Friggieri

Naxxar