Gozo business up in arms over Mellieha closures

Updated with Mellieha council's statement.

The Gozo Business Chamber has expressed dismay at the decision of the Mellieha mayor to close the road leading from Ghadira Bay to Mellieha village at the Seabank Hotel roundabout, to anyone bar Mellieha residents or carriers of a special pass issued by the council.

The traffic is being diverted through a makeshift road on the Mellieha bypass, that is now undergoing extensive reconstruction.

"All traffic is being diverted by local wardens through the narrow one-way road passing through Popeye Village, with the consequence that traffic coming from Gozo is being congested in this area and the average trip for us Gozitans has increased by another 15 to 30 extra minutes," chamber president Michael Grech said.

"The Chamber has had complaints from its members that because of congestion, which at times lasted of more than an hour and which have been highlighted even on the local media, they missed their flights and other important appointments that they had in Malta. It would also be impossible for an ambulance to enter the area should an accident happen on that road."

Grech said the chamber was calling on the authorities to stop its actions, and open the road to the village of Mellieha without any further delay.

Replying to the chamber's concerns, the Mellieha council said its own residents had to suffer the inconvenience of a great deal of traffic passing through the village from Gozo, or from the northern beaches.

"Even Mellieha residents are using different public transport routes throughout the bypass's reconstruction. It's an ordeal for both residents and tourists who have to walk long distances to catch a bus," a council spokesperson said. "The council is ready to meet to discuss a solution, as long as it does not involve any additional burden for residents."