Watch: 'Give us our pedestrian crossing back’ – Marsa residents

A number of Marsa residents are furious after a pedestrian crossing in their neighbourhood was blocked off, forcing them to take a seven-minute walk just to get to the other side of the road.

The Transport Ministry has defended its decision to close access to the Marsa crossing, arguing it is a safer option, albeit inconvenient.

The pedestrian crossing, which is situated on the Marsa-Ħamrun bypass, was fully operational and complete with traffic lights up until a few months ago and was the only convenient way for residents to get from one side of Marsa, across the busy road, to the other side.

White road markings that used to delineate the pedestrian crossing are still visible.

Traffic concerns have taken precedence over residents in Marsa. Video: Karl Andrew Micallef

But the residents, most of whom are elderly, say the crossing was blocked off by crash barriers and iron mesh during the Marsa-Ħamrun bypass roadworks and the crossing has since become inaccessible.

They complained that this meant they are now forced to take a long, alternative route down to Triq Diċembru 13 and around part of the town, just to get to the other side of the road.

480 steps, come rain or shine

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