MINISTER TO LAUNCH ONE-WAY TRAFFIC SYSTEM IN BT

Local Government and Urban Development Minister, Ben Phiri on Friday will officially launch a one-way traffic system which will help to reduce congestion in the commercial city.

According to BCC Planning and Estates Services Director, Costly Chanza, all is set to implement a major shift in traffic flow in its Central Business District (CBD) and all roads within the CBD will be affected.

“All vehicles that will be coming to Blantyre CBD from Chipembere high way will be using the Haile Selassie Road passing by Electricity Supply Commission of Malawi (ESCOM) House all the way to Nandosi.

“All vehicles coming to CBD from Chilomoni, Namiwawa townships and Lilongwe via Mbayani Township will be getting into Glyn jones road connecting to Chipembere highway,” Chanza said.

Vehicles from the highway and wenela Bus Depot direction going to Lilongwe will have to strictly pass through Haile Selassie Road before getting to Victoria Avenue then connecting to Glyn jones road at sunbird Mount Soche.

Glyn jones Road runs from Chilomoni past Sunbird Mount Soche-Hotel and Kandodo corner shop before passing by Metro shop and connect to the highway at Larji Kurji roundabout, popularly known as clock tower round about.

The council said it will engage police officers and traffic control officers to control vehicles for two weeks before road users get accustomed to the new arrangement.

A minibus operator Frank Kaitano welcomed the idea saying congestion will be reduced in the city.

“This will help mostly in the morning and evening when there is too much congestion. There will be more space to drive through,” minibus operator, “said Kaitano.

Other streets that will be made one-way include St, Andrews, Livingstone and Hannover.