Transport Malta has objected to a proposed billboard on Regional Road because it does “not face the direction of traffic”.

The application, submitted by Owen Falzon through architect Chris Cachia (PA 7745/25), proposes installing an LED billboard on the overpass above the northbound lane heading towards Msida.

However, instead of facing the oncoming traffic on that lane, the billboard would be oriented in the opposite direction. It would still be visible to vehicles from the lane towards Qormi and from the slip road leading up to the roundabout.

The applicant said placing the billboard above the oncoming lane was not possible because traffic signs are already installed there.

Transport Malta raised objections on grounds that the billboard would be located “less than 50m from a junction” and was “not facing the direction of traffic”.

In comments to Times of Malta, the regulator said that, because the billboard was angled towards another lane, it could pose a “hazard” to drivers, especially so close to a junction.

“A billboard must be front-facing towards the traffic stream it is intended for,” a spokesperson said. “When an advertising surface is angled laterally or towards the opposite direction of travel, it could encourage drivers to divert their gaze away from the forward field of view.”

The transport watchdog acknowledged that the billboard could still be seen from other lanes but said this was irrelevant since the placement breached road-safety regulations.

The application has also drawn concern from the Light Pollution Awareness Group, which submitted a formal objection citing the need for limits on lighting intensity, colour temperature and sign brightness to avoid contributing to light pollution.