The asphalt jungle

Local roads built by foreigners, particularly by Italians, are characterised by their beautiful landscaping embellished by trees, bushes and gentle banking. We should have learnt with the confidence of experience and first-hand report, that aesthetic considerations are essential elements in environmental upgrading.

The Marsascala bypass, popularly known as Is-Serp (the snake) for its winding route, is presently being resurfaced and, as if to convey the message that the road is exclusively meant to give rubbish an easy ride, no attempt has been made to upgrade the boundary walls in order to conform with Malta Environment and Planning Authority specifications namely 1.2 metres high and constructed in whole rubble (sejjiegh). Such adherence to Mepa regulations in outside development zone (ODZ) would allow an uninterrupted and unobstructed view of what remains of Wied Sant'Antnin with the imposing baroque church of Zejtun in the background.

Limestone blocks lining the road should be replaced by rubble as stipulated in Mepa regulations. The road is wide enough for a central strip embellished with trees and shrubs especially in this particular tourist zone.

Of course, by way of compensation, we would not complain if a bed of fragrant flowers and rose bushes were added for good measure as a symbolic gesture by the north-oriented consortium.

As works on the road have been halted, whoever is responsible is still in time to give the southerners a fair deal.