Transport Malta has finally begun installing ‘pedestrian zone’ in Marsalforn’s Menqa area, more than seven months after the project’s completion.

This comes after The Malta Independent on Sunday reported last week that the area was still accessible to vehicles, despite promises in November last year that it would become a car-free zone.

This newsroom reported that the €1 million project, which included the installation of expensive lava stone bought from abroad, has already been dirtied by vehicle oil and tyre marks. 

Photos sent in by residents show that some parts of the road are often completely blocked off as a result of double-parking. Vehicles are parked right next to outdoor dining areas, and even on the quay.

Residents have told this newsroom that they were often blocked from using their garages a a result of cars parked in the area. When they complained at the local police station, they were told that no fines could be issued due to the absence of traffic signs.

PN Zebbug minority leader Daniel Cordina told this newsroom last week that the council was in talks with Transport Malta and that the authority had agreed to install the no-entry signs, but no date had been set yet for this to happen.

It seems now that the TMI report got things moving, as the transport authority has finally started installing the signs and turning Menqa into a pedestrian zone.

Yellow lines have been painted on some of the roads in the area and access to Menqa is limited to residents, fishermen and those rendering a service to restaurants, although this is also restricted to certain times of the day.