Żejtun Council Removes Unauthorised DIY Zebra Crossings Near School
In brief
- An unidentified resident painted makeshift zebra crossings and a warning near a primary school in Żejtun.
- The Żejtun Local Council swiftly painted over the markings, condemning the action as unauthorised vandalism.
- The intervention sparked mixed community reactions, with residents arguing the stunt exposed traffic safety concerns.
Makeshift pedestrian crossings and road warnings recently appeared outside a primary school in Żejtun, prompting a rapid intervention by local civic authorities.
An unidentified resident painted two DIY zebra crossings alongside the word "SLOW" across the road surface along Triq Santa Katerina over the weekend. The markings were placed directly in the vicinity of the town's primary school in an apparent bid to force passing motorists to reduce their speed.
The homemade road safety measures proved short-lived. By Monday afternoon, workers deployed by the Żejtun Local Council had covered the white paint, formally condemning the initiative as unauthorised and categorising it as an act of vandalism.
The swift removal generated mixed reactions among community members. While civic officials stressed the illegality of modifying road infrastructure, numerous local residents expressed sympathy with the unknown painter, noting that speeding traffic continues to pose hazards to children and parents.
Residents and parents have frequently raised concerns about pedestrian safety along busy residential routes near school entrances. Commentators pointed out that while formal applications for traffic calming measures often encounter lengthy administrative delays, unilateral action nevertheless remains unlawful.
Transport regulations require pedestrian crossings and signage to comply with strict national road engineering standards to ensure driver visibility and pedestrian safety. While the DIY markings have now been erased, the incident has renewed local discussions regarding traffic management and safety infrastructure around school zones.
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