Over 200 Bahrija residents gathered today to protest road works which have been ongoing for well over a year.

Residents made several complaints, mainly linked to the lack of planning regarding the alternative routes used. A number of residents mentioned a particular small bridge used as part of the diversions, stating that it has been damaged and is on the verge of collapse as it was not built to handle heavy vehicles.

Many residents complained about damage to car tyres, with some saying they had to replace their tyres twice in a year.

Originally, the plan by the authorities was to rebuild the main road and improve the drainage system in the locality. However, at the very early stages of the works, it resulted that the road was built on very old tombs. The work had to be halted until archaeologists can study the discoveries. The authorities are also considering turning the road into a walking museum.

To the residents surprise, some workers were present at the site at 7pm, however all residents this newsroom spoke to said that this was not the norm, and that workers are never present at that time.

Complaints about loss of business were also made, particularly regarding restaurants.

A number of signatures were collected, which will be handed in directly to Castille.

Residents also said that the local council has not been doing much about the problem.

Protest organiser and resident Sharon Cauchi said that if the project is not completed by 26 July, as we were told, we hope that the alternative routes used would at least be acceptable, so everyone can go to work with their minds at ease that they would not be at risk. 

A resident, Nazzareno Micallef, said: "this isn't the first time we have collected signatures. There will be more protests in 26 July, as they promised it will finish on that day. The workers of Bahrija and the surrounding area are suffering, and so are the businesses. The roads currently are not safe. Children are going to school after summer and private transport is not coming in here. Who is going to pay for the damaged cars, for the fuel spent by parents who have to take their children to private school. He stressed that this is not a political situation, and the residents do not want to be used as a political football".

Residents also highlighted a situation where doctors have gotten fed up of trying to reach Bahrija. As for ambulances, residents also said that they take quite long to arrive, and the same goes for fire engines. Bahrija recently had a situation where a fire broke out, damaging a number of protected trees which couldn't be saved, as the fire engine could not arrive fast enough.

As for compensation for vehicular damage and the such, the residents are not currently asking for this, however such a demand is in the making. "We cannot suffer, paying from our own pockets for mistakes made by others," one resident said.

Photos and videos by James Bianchi