On the Dot...

The pigeon population in Valletta has burgeoned to the extent that flocks of them harass residents, workers, and passers-by throughout the morning. They have even become defiant enough to fly onto the wares of the bread sellers at City Gate, thus effectively contaminating the contents of the stalls.

Pedal Power

Why is it that the pedal bicycle bay at St Luke's Hospital is hidden away beside the back entrance of the orthopaedic ward? For that matter, there are not too many places where one can park a bicycle safely, by means of attaching it with an appropriate chain to an immovable pole. One would have thought that with all the fuss made about a vehicle-free day, such an area would have been inaugurated with the appropriate pomp and circumstance at participating towns.

Dutch Uncles

The surface of the upper part of It-Tulipan Street, Sta Lucija, is covered with broken stone slabs that are more likely than not irreparable, and must therefore be replaced. Around six years ago, the then vice-mayor had promised that the area would be a top priority when the list of works would be drawn up, but to date, nothing has been done about it.

Rubble Trouble

Unfortunately, many people have to resort to walking on the rubble wall along the road leading from the Blue Grotto to Hagar Qim, obviously damaging it. This situation obtains because it is the only alternative to being hit by a passing vehicle, or, worse, run over by one of the huge lorries ferrying material from the quarries there. A footpath, if not a pavement, could be built behind this wall to facilitate matters.

Double Trouble

On weekdays, motorists may commit nigh on every possible infringement of the traffic regulations, or at least park haphazardly in the Keep Clear areas, in the Cittadella Square in Gozo, because the wardens do not bother to dish out tickets. However, on Saturdays and Sundays, when there are functions in church, the wardens try to make up for lost time... and revenue.

Four Squares

Dacoutros Street in Fleur-de-Lys, is more often than not closed to traffic because of the works being undertaken in connection with the new Bank of Valletta central offices. When the street is clear of heavy plant, however, motorists find to their chagrin that their cars are being damaged as they pass over two manhole covers that are part of the road surface. This is the last straw, because the noise and dust and vibrations have gone on for a very long period now. To add insult to injury, a huge quantity of spilled engine oil was covered with fine stone dust, rather than cleaned away, on Tuesday.

Pulse Rate

It is understandable that Maltacom would seek to make a profit out of the several thousands of telephone calls to television and radio programmes when the audience wants to participate in competitions, or simply by commenting. However, it would be a good idea if the company were to waive charges on all calls, when these are done in order to donate monies, to whichever charitable institution would be gaining from them, and not simply when specific ones are involved.

Clean Sweep

Full marks to the owner of Merhba Kiosk at City Gate, Valletta. On Tuesday morning, at about 10, he was seen cleaning up the general area a little way away from his business, of glass and sticky liquid, after someone had spilled a whole bottle of soft drink. The amount of other debris he gathered showed that the exercise could be repeated oftener, perhaps by people who are paid to do so.

Sum Total

There appears to be a tacit regulation in parishes that unless children attend at least 75 per cent of religious doctrine lessons (apart from those that form a part of the curriculum), they will not be allowed to receive the sacraments of Holy Communion and Confirmation. There is, however, a slight snag in this; some parishes have classes just once a week, others twice, and MUSEUM centres, four times. This means that whereas the percentage remains the same, the total of sessions in the latter may be four times that of the former.

Cross Roads

The traffic light system at the crossroads between St George's Road and Ross Street in Paceveille, is open to interpretation. It needs to be reviewed immediately, for motorists are ever keen to add to the general chaos in the area because they go along with them as long as it is expedient, and will not make them wait for more than a minimum of two vehicles to have the right of way.

Oval All

Two more sorry excuses for roundabouts have appeared in front of the Papillion restaurant and the butcher's shop in the limits of Birkirkara and Lija. This means that traffic coming from four directions is now able to play slaloming games between the spaces, with congestion and bad temper the order of the day. The person(s) who designed it must have enjoyed playing with their battery-powered sets in their youth.

All Tolled

The area in and around Dun Xand Cortis Street in Sta Venera is part of the road-surfacing scheme currently being undertaken. Unfortunately, however, the project is taking a very long time to be completed and this street becomes one complete mud bath whenever it rains, restricting the liberties of residents who may not be as able-bodied as others.