14 comments so far.One of many lorries that thundered through Qala on Friday
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Readers Letter – “Further to the letter about CCTV in Qala, here is a photograph of a lorry, which was taken on Friday, seemingly laden with redundant rubble and rocks, at least one of 12 on that day, which thundered dustily through the little known back streets of Qala, on an unmade road in the direction of Hondoq.
No CCTV cameras here, but many residents annoyed at the noisy intrusion, in what is normally an extremely quiet area.
One can only guess, with-out accusatory suggestions, as to why they were they were not taking their usual route and where their loads may end up…”
David Jones
Qala
Mr. Jones, From your letter, it looks like the trucks are finally using the roads they are meant to on their permit.
Finally after fourteen years it seems like someone has listened and forced the quarry owner to use the street they are supposed to.
Whoever sold you or leased you your property should have told you that it was on a truck route.
angelo,
I knew it was too good to be true , the lorries have already stopped passing through the roads they are meant to . I have already seen them going two ways again in Wileg area and trucks which shouldn’t be are also passing through the square fully loaded 🙁
that’s enforcement for you eh!!
Unfortunately, no one tells you anything here until it is too late. Europeans and others do not speak Maltese, so some things will never become public knowledge!
Although the majority of Maltese are open and honest, the ancient CAVEAT EMPTOR still applies…
Gozo used to be a peaceful island, now it is as noisy as Malta!
The trucks are unbelievable and unending…a constant stream of them to the dump site. I hope the CCTV brings real relief!
Sadly, as we expats cannot vote in national elections we have no clout! Nothing we say will make any difference. Gozo is basically a large village and at the end of the day the village will close ranks and all us expats can whistle…………….
So my advice is just put up and shut up – the vice mayor is fighting a losing battle; although his fight is justified and he is doing more than his best I am sorry to say that I fear it willl not be enough and the big boys will succeed.
Whatever happened to ECO GOZO? or is that now a dirty word?
Though I perfectly understand that the trucks have to go were they need to go and that the truck drivers are doing a hard and sometimes difficult job – due to pressure of time etc. – I wish all those responsible a lucky hand on the way to a reasonable and effective reglementation of this matter.
Probably the CCTV will help to push this forward. Nobody who ever watched this traffic for a while will deny that we have been quite lucky so far that no serious accidents have ever happened. God bless all parties concerned and not at last the drivers that it will always be like this. But can we really take that for granted?
Proper rules and their consistent application will on the long run be of advantage for everybody.
It can’t be much fun for anyone having these things rumbling past the house all day. As for your suggestion Angelo that whoever sold Mr Jones or leased him his property should have told him that it was on a truck route, do you honestly believe that would actually happen? I have friends bought a nice little house in Gozo with agricultural land opposite it. They were promised that no one could ever build there because it was farm land. They now have a four or five storey apartment block right up against their house!
Hooray .Does this mean that after 14 years this contractor is abiding by his permit? Too good to be true.We will wait and see
Finally it appears the trucks are listening by taking the routes called for when residents of Qala last complained about their hazardous route to Hondoq, thanks to the unremitting and persistence of their Vice Mayor, Paul Buttigieg whose CCTV action appears to have gotten the attention of the violators! Qala is appreciative of his efforts for the efforts he has made over the past ten years as a Councillor and advocate in the Hondoq disputes!
FINALLY AND FAIR ENOUGH FOR EVERYONE !Since years we have to fight the Trucks and there Exhaust Fumes here in Triq Tas-Salib , Qala. During the Day you have to keep your Windows closed , even in the hottest Summer , as the smelly Exhaust kills you and causes you Asthma. Proper Rules are needed and this might show a better Condition and the noisy intrusion might change a bit. Thanks again to Vice Mayor, Paul Buttigieg.
Pawlu works tirelessly for the benefit of Gozo and it seems at last it is starting to pay off in many ways. Keep up the good work my friend.
Joey
there are times late at night that one hears heavy trucks heading towards Hondoq — I don’t think that they’re going for a late night swim. I am sure that it’s for illegal dumping.
We’re lucky to have watchdogs like Paul! If not for him, Hondoq would probably now be one big construction site off limits to the public. If Hiondoq is to go a regeneration, then authorities have to take serious action against illegal dumping which would negate any improvements in the area.
These illegal dumpers don’t give a damn about eco-Gozo, protecting the environment or beautifying the countryside. All they care about is saving money on the permits to dump. the scary part is that some illegal dumpers have the right connections that protects them and it’s this that makes them arrogant.
About time they obey the rules! Contractors over rule Gozo and ministers. No politician nor high authority has control over them. I remember whenever the police/ warden came to check the situation not one truck passed by…. make your own assumptions!!
The cctv is indeed the situation which is needed well done paul for such a great idea!!
On the other I hope that now the mayor makes sure that they are not vandalized and that they are kept on at all times!
Almost all lorries like the one above, are over loaded,. And safety precautions are not taken. just like tho photo above.. While driving, car drivers need not only to pay attention to traffic on road but even to overloaded truck since quarry material may fall of the lorry.
The village roads are flooded with such lorries. quarry owners don’t have idea what harm they are causing. not only because of over loaded lorries but also for careless driving with such vehicles.
We’re lucky to have people like Paul and the local council who work for the natinal interest of our village. Great job Paul 🙂
I totally agree with Michael Carol, we have witnessed accidents in the past, and if no one regulates these heavy vehicles, I’m in no doubt that we’ll witness -alas- more of the sort. This involves educating both truck owners, truck drivers, as well as residents! For instance, I can recall a particular family residing on the main road in the outskirts of Qala right next to Gnien il-Familja, which stubbornly insist in parking their two cars in a semi-blind corner. Doesn’t this dangerous parking limit two-way traffic viability and safety?. How about authorities taking action on them, as well?