“Apparently the conflict of the public tender for the building and reconstruction of the road from Mgarr to San Lawrenz is resolved and citizens can notice some new billboards promoting this EU-funded project,” Dr Harry Vassallo chairperson of Alternattiva Demokratika said.

“We congratulate all those involved in resolving this dispute and hope that these works start with no further delay. Residents in the western part of Gozo received a personal letter from the Gozo Ministry, stating that although people are going to suffer some inconveniences, at the end they will be awarded with a new road from San Lawrenz to Victoria built to European standards. However at no point did this letter mention a time-frame of this much-awaited project. Nor did it give any details of the plans and provisional alternatives,” Victor Galea, AD Gozo regional committee spokesman said.

The road will be completely dug out and rebuilt to European standards. This is a road on the main route that connects Victoria to the western villages of Ghasri, Gharb and San Lawrenz as well as tourist attractions including Dwejra, the Gordan lighthouse and the Ta’ Dbiegi crafts village amongst others. The works will include the total reconstruction and the upgrading of ancillary services along the route.

“The ministry should seriously consider that, before any further work is carried out on the existing road, the alternative routes to the North West of the island, i.e. via St. Lucia (Ta’ Xkora Street) and Ghajn Abdul or via the Wied Sara road and Ghasri and even the Xwejni Saltpan road, will be made serviceable for normal passenger vehicles and not only 4×4 off-road vehicles as is the case at present.”

“We trust that such detours will be clearly signposted so that self-drive tourists and visitors will be able to find their way to Ta’ Pinu, Dwejra, etc. This is especially important as we are sure that unfortunately the works will continue throughout the summer – our main tourist season.”

AD are also suggesting that if not already planned, a sidewalk-cum-cycle path be included in the blueprint for the road. An efficient rainwater drainage system is also essential considering the number of hills in the area, even if this is only used for several months a year, AD held.