Gozo's roads have become death traps, and Transport Malta does nothing about it and remains indifferent. From St Francis Square to the notorious Mġarr Road, the situation spirals out of control. Traffic accidents, near misses, and blatant disregard for safety plague the island, yet no tangible action follows. The authorities responded with empty assurances and a profound lack of communication. We're on the brink of another tragedy. Enough is enough-Gozo deserves better.
The number of accidents keeps rising, and every day, drivers and pedestrians take their lives into their own hands simply by using Gozo's roads. It is no longer a matter of inconvenience; this is now a full-scale crisis. While Malta enjoys large infrastructure investment, Gozo remains neglected. Traffic systems appear outdated, planning feels non-existent, and any effort to modernise transport turns into a chaotic and costly mess. Officials look the other way, and no proper solutions emerge. The roads of Gozo tell a story of decades of neglect, and residents pay the price every single day.
In what should be a central hub of the island, pedestrians navigate a minefield of traffic studs. These "cat's eyes" serve no real purpose and only injure those trying to cross St Francis square. This so-called embellishment project turned into a disaster riddled with mismanagement and excessive spending. Millions of euros vanished, yet basic safety considerations never formed part of the plan. The Victoria local council still has not lifted a finger to address the issue. Is it possible they do not see the suffering? Or does ignoring the problem make things easier?
The St Francis Square project already attracted controversy because of its excessive cost overruns and questionable planning. The National Audit Office exposed financial mismanagement, yet those responsible still hold office as if nothing happened. This mismanagement did not just drain public funds-it created dangerous urban conditions where pedestrians suffer because of bureaucratic incompetence. This was not just a missed opportunity; it was a complete failure, and authorities still refuse to take responsibility.
If one street defines neglect, it is Giorgio Borg Olivier Street. This street sits at the heart of Victoria's business zone, yet it lacks a pedestrian crossing. People must dart across a road buzzing with traffic, risking life and limb just to visit a pharmacy or run a quick errand. Parking spaces follow no system, leaving drivers to fend for themselves. No short-term spots exist for those needing urgent access to businesses. Instead of implementing a common-sense solution, authorities prefer to wait for a serious accident to force their hand.
Local business owners repeatedly call for better traffic management, but their concerns fall on deaf ears. They see customers struggling to find safe parking or rushing across busy roads just to reach their destinations. How can businesses thrive when infrastructure makes access nearly impossible? If authorities continue ignoring these issues, Victoria risks losing its appeal as a commercial hub.
What innovative ideas has Transport Malta come up with? A black flat round object that supposedly shows parking availability. This absurd measure, paired with an electronic sign no driver has time to read, in Republic Street near Astra Theatre, shows how little planning went into the project. This happens when bureaucrats impose solutions without understanding the reality on the ground. Money vanished, and parking remains as frustrating as ever.
Republic Street's parking system represents the typical pattern of failed public investment: expensive, impractical, and completely out of touch with reality. Parking in Victoria has long been an issue, yet instead of creating more accessible and efficient parking spaces, officials wasted money on a system that nobody uses. Drivers, already overwhelmed by traffic, cannot afford to waste time deciphering a flawed electronic sign. Once again, authorities spent taxpayer money on an ill-conceived project while failing to address actual issues.
Capuchins Street remains a disaster zone. The pavement forces pedestrians onto the road, making it impossible for a person with a pram or mobility issues to navigate safely. Parked cars squeeze people into dangerous, narrow spaces. At the far end, a bottleneck near the crossroads creates a high-risk zone where someone will inevitably get trapped-or worse. No speed limits exist, no traffic calming measures control reckless driving, and overtaking remains a free-for-all. This street operates under no rules. Authorities ignore the danger while residents take the risks.
The lack of enforcement on Gozo's roads creates a culture of reckless driving. In Capuchins Street, where narrow, stepped pavments and chaotic traffic already create problems, speeding drivers add yet another deadly element. The absence of speed limits or clear road management transforms this road into a daily hazard. This stretch of road is extremely dangerous for families with young children, older adults, and people with mobility problems. Ignoring these dangers any longer is simply unacceptable.
For decades, residents pleaded for speed cameras and traffic calming measures along Mġarr Road, but nothing changed. Drivers speed towards the ferry, treating the road like a racetrack. The outcome is a relentless stream of accidents. Għajnsielem's mayor, along with countless residents, fights for change, yet authorities refuse to act. A few black-spot signs appeared as a half-hearted gesture, but they failed to slow down reckless drivers. A speed camera remains the bare minimum needed, yet even that remains under vague consideration with no clear timeline.
The stories of loss and tragedy on this road are endless. Motorcyclists suffered severe injuries, and countless crashes destroyed property and livelihoods. Despite considerable patience and many attempts at problem-solving, there remains an absolute lack of change or improvement, showing a persistent issue that requires further investigation.
Għajnsielem residents describe the horror of watching cars speed past their homes at night, vibrating their windows with every reckless manoeuvre. For some, out-of-control vehicles have hit their properties. Others have witnessed gruesome accidents right outside their front doors. Every crash serves as another painful reminder that nothing changes. Those in power are abdicating their duties and do not care enough to take action.
Gozo continues to be disregarded and remains a secondary consideration for the government. Infrastructure Malta funnels millions into road projects across Malta, but Gozo continues to be ignored. Promises come, but action never follows. Even the St Francis Square project-a small-scale initiative-spiralled into financial mismanagement, costing over double its original budget. Public funds vanished and accountability disappeared, instead of prioritising safety. Transport Malta continues to ignore Gozo's deteriorating traffic situation. Speed limits remain unenforced, pedestrian safety gets disregarded, and roads stay in a perilous state. How many more must suffer before Transport Malta acts?
This is not just about road safety. This reflects an utter disregard for Gozo's residents. The island continues to be neglected while officials in Castille and Gozo Ministry pat themselves on the back for projects that never materialise. Gozo does not need empty promises. It needs speed cameras and traffic calming measures on Mġarr Road, a pedestrian crossing on Giorgio Borg Olivier Street, properly designed pavements and clear pedestrian walkways on Capuchins Street, functional parking solutions instead of expensive gimmicks like Republic Street's failed system, and immediate removal of hazardous road studs from St Francis Square.
Gozo could be so much better. Residents have voiced their opinions for decades. Transport Malta must heed warnings and take action to prevent further tragic accidents. Enough excuses, Gozo's traffic situation is in a crisis and requires immediate attention.