Oil Spill Response

Stakeholders Discuss Training Needs to Address Oil Spill Response Capability for the Protection of Malta’s Seas

Transport Malta has joined forces with the Norwegian Coastal Administration (Kystverket) to implement a project called “‘Oil/HNS Spill Response Capacity Building for the Protection of Malta’s Seas”. The project, costing €613,881, is being co-funded (85%) by the European Economic Area (EEA) Grants (Programme Area 7 – Adaption to Climate Change). The project aims to address oil and HNS spill response training and revise the current version of the National Marine Pollution Contingency Plan to incorporate a section on offshore drilling risks.

On Friday, as part of the project, Transport Malta together with Gorton Consultancy Ltd organized a half day workshop to discuss the various aspects of the project with the government stakeholders and relevant NGOs and presented the oil/HNS pollution response training programme as indentified by the Consultants.

This project is a continuation to the 2004-09 project “Setting up of an Oil Spill Response Capability for the Protection of Malta’s Seas.”  One of the proposals of the 2004-09 project was that Malta needs to identify and train appropriate personnel and suggested to further study the risks emanating from offshore oil drilling operations. These measures are now being implemented through this new project aimed at further strengthening Malta’s capacity to respond to oil/HNS spills. The Offshore oil drilling risks studies were completed last April and were presented to all stakeholders by Dr. Saviour Scerri.

Over the past years Transport Malta has invested heavily in training and equipment that will enable the Authority to meet their challenges and responsibilities in monitoring local waters.

Vat refund scheme extended

Scheme extended till 14th August.

A few weeks ago we announced that the Government will be refunding the full amount of VAT paid on the registration tax to vehicle owners who had a vehicle registered between the 1^st May and 31^st December 2004. The scheme expired today but since a number of owners still have to return their application, the scheme is being extended until 14th August 2015.

There will be one payment by cheque. The same process will be adopted in the following years, until all payments for the eligible applicants up till the end of 2008 are settled.

Transport Malta notified the eligible applicats who registered their vehicle between 1st May and 31st December 2004.  Those who received the notification should verify the personal details, sign and send the application to Transport Malta.

Grant Scheme 

Transport Malta 

Land Transport Directorate 

Sa Maison Road, St. Francis Square,

Floriana.

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Grant Scheme

Gozo Licensing Office

Ministry for Gozo

Rabat, Gozo.

No additional documentation is required to be submitted if a person is submitting his/her own application.

In the case of deceased persons, the heirs should, together with the application form, submit a joint declaration signed by a notary public, enlisting the names of the heir or heirs of the eligible deceased person and the person who will be actually receiving the grant.

Vehicle owners who had registered a vehicle for private use between 1^st May 2004 and 31^st December 2004 are eligible for the scheme but had not applied for the grant during 2014, may also fill in and submit an application form to Transport Malta.

For further information or assistance, vehicle owners may call either on Free Phone 8007 2373 from Monday to Friday between 08.00 and 16.00 or send an email to the following address: grantscheme.tm@transport.gov.mt

Mellieħa Nights

Mellieħa Nights

The Mellieha Local Council is organising Mellieha Nights  between Thursday, 30^th July and Sunday, 2^nd August 2015. 

Triq il-Kbira, Triq Gorg Borg Olivier and Triq il-Marfa will be closed from 5.00p.m. till 01.00a.m on Saturday, 1^st and Sunday, 2^nd August.  Access will be available for residents and emergency services.

Vehicles coming from Cirkewwa will be diverted to Triq Lewis Wettinger and Dawret il-Mellieha. Traffic coming from Xemxija will follow the same route in the opposite direction.  Public Transport will use the same diversions.

Coast Road Update

Coast Road – An update

The works of these past days on the Coast Road have been completed as planned.  Asphalt has been applied to more than one kilometre stretch of the Coast Road.  Hence, one carriageway between Xatt il-Palm, Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq and White Rocks has been completely asphalted.  Most of the seaside of the Coast Road is now asphalted.

During these days we are laying asphalt on other parts of the road.  Our contractors are also doing finishing works in parts of the road; from line markings to crash barrier installations and light fixtures.

Traffic in parts of the Coast Road is two-way.  We ask drivers to take notice of road signs. The signs show that the road is two-way, that no overtaking is allowed and the speed limit is 40 km/h.

The Coast Road will be re-opened tomorrow morning.

Photo by David Camilleri

The Coast Road will be re-opened tomorrow at 05:00 (morning), as planned. Drivers will therefore be able to drive through the Coast Road both from Salini to Pembroke and also in the opposite direction.

Following the works of the recent days, various sections will now be travelled on the seaside carriageway for both northbound and southbound traffic.

Photo by David Camilleri

 

Works on the Coast Road are continuing at a good rate in various sections of the 7.3km road. Asphalt will continue to be laid in the coming weeks.

Works are also continuing on the finishings including crash barriers, street lighting and line markings..

 

Transport Malta regrets the inconvenience caused during the necessary closure of the past days.  We urge drivers to follow traffic signs, drive at the prescribed speeds and not overtake. 

The alternative routes, through Mġarr Bypass, Triq is-Salini, Mosta and Birkirkara will, of course, remain available and should be considered whenever one is planning his journey.

Photo by David Camilleri

Coast Road Closure

Transport Malta regrets the inconvenience caused with the closure of the Coast Road.  The issues this morning highlight the importance of the Coast Road and hence our commitment to upgrade it.

This part of the Coast Road had to be closed completely.  This road closure will improve the deadline by around three weeks and will avoid future total closures in more critical times.

Two layers of asphalt, 120mm in all, are being applied to the highest European standard.   Traffic cannot pass on the binder course.  Works and asphalting continued during the night yesterday. 

Transport Malta urges drivers to avoid the area and use alternative routes, through Mġarr Bypass, Mosta and Birkirkara.

Transport Malta is vigilant on the working contractors, who are collaborating fully. Works are on schedule and the road will be open again on Friday morning.

More details here.

VAT on car registration

A few weeks ago we announced that the Government will be refunding the full amount of VAT paid on the registration tax to vehicle owners who had a vehicle registered between the 1^st May and 31^st December 2004.  3,308 were eligible. 2,406 submitted their application.  This scheme will be available until the 31st July.

There will be one full payment by cheque. The same process will be adopted in the following years, until all payments for the eligible applicants up till the end of 2008 are settled.

Transport Malta notified the eligible applicants who registered their vehicle between 1st May and 31st December 2004.  Those who received the notification should verify the personal details, sign and send the application to Transport Malta.

Grant Scheme

Sa Maison Road, St. Francis Square,

Floriana.

Grant Scheme

Transport Malta Gozo Licensing Office

Land Transport Directorate Ministry for Gozo

Rabat, Gozo.

No additional documentation is required to be submitted if a person is submitting his/her own

application.

In the case of deceased persons, the heirs should, together with the application form, submit a joint declaration signed by a notary public, enlisting the names of the heir or heirs of the eligible deceased person and the person who will be actually receiving the grant.

Vehicle owners who had registered a vehicle for private use between 1^st May 2004 and 31^st December 2004 are eligible for the scheme but had not applied for the grant during 2014, may also fill in and submit an application form to Transport Malta.

For further information or assistance, vehicle owners may call either on Free Phone 8007 2373 from Monday to Friday between 08.00 and 16.00 or send an email to the following address: grantscheme.tm@transport.gov.mt

Avoid the Coast Road

Triq il-Kosta between Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq and Triq Martin Luther King are closed for traffic from today till Friday 31 July at 05:00hrs.

Transport Malta urges motorists to avoid the area.

There is no access to Triq il-Kosta from Pembroke. Please use routes from Birkirkara, Mosta or Mġarr Bypass.

A Traffic accident this morning that occurred at Tal-Balal area has created additional strain on the traffic situation on the approaches to and from Coast Road.

What is next for the Coast Road?

The Coast Road project is going on at full swing.  Here is a quick update by project leader Architect Kylie Borg Marks.

The part between Għallis and Magħtab has been completely asphalted; all three layers of asphalt.  Next week, a carriageway between Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq and White Rocks will be completely asphalted.

Coast Road – New Traffic Arrangements

Triq il-Kosta between Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq and Triq Martin Luther King will be closed for traffic between Monday 27 July at 10:00hrs till Friday 31 July at 05:00hrs.

Access for Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq residents and commercial outlets will remain unobstructed from Naxxar.  There will be no access from Pembroke.

Vehicles from L-Imsida are encouraged to use Triq Tas-Sliema from Kappara Junction.  A route from Ta’ L-Ibraġġ in Swieqi to Triq tal-Balal will also be available.

Vehicles from St. Paul’s Bay will be diverted through Burmarrad or through Triq is-Salini up to it-Telgħa T’Alla w’Ommu.  One can also pass through Triq ir-Ramla in Magħtab. 

Public Transport

Shuttle Service

Since the regular routes will not be going through Triq il-Kosta, Malta Public Transport will be offering a shuttle service between Buġibba and Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq.

Routes 12 and 222 will not go through Triq il-Kosta but will pass through Triq is-Salina, Telgħa t’Alla u Ommu towards San Ġwann then towards the tunnels for Triq Mikiel Anton Vassalli and Paceville to proceed with the usual route.

Route X1 will go through Triq is-Salina, it-Telgħa t’Alla u Ommu and Għargħur Bypass as well.  The bus will turn through Triq il-Wied towards Iklin for Birkikara Bypass and University where the route will proceed as usual.

Cycling event in Żebbuġ

Cycling event organised by Birkirkara St. Joseph Sports Club

Birkirkara St. Joseph Sports Club in collaboration with the Malta Cycling Federation will be organizing a cycling event on Sunday 26 July 2015 in Triq L-Imdina Ħaż Żebbuġ.

Triq L-Imdina, from the roundabout near St. Dorothy’s School to the roundabout near it-Telgħa tas-Saqqajja, will be closed to vehicular traffic between 07:00hrs and 10:00hrs.

Vehicular traffic proceeding from Ħal Qormi to Rabat will be diverted onto Triq Ħ’Attard to Triq L-Imdina. Vehicular traffic proceeding from Rabat or Mosta to Ħaż-Żebbuġ will be diverted onto Triq L-Imdina Ħ’Attard to reach Triq Ħ’Attard.

Any inconvenience is regretted.