Marsascala roadworks

Referring to Ethelbert Perrini's timely intervention (Shoddy Works In Marsascala, March 31), I cannot but declare my full agreement and I, too, say that St Anne Street is a complete disaster. We have to thank the Water Services Corporation for this. However, Mr Perrini ought to know that I have insisted with the WSC to make amends for their mistakes and to surface St Anne Street and to leave it as they found it.

The works on this road started way back in November 2006 and were completed (sic!) in mid-March 2007. While the works were in progress I made it a point to make onsite inspections every day. A Maltese proverb advises us that Ix-xemx minn fil-ghodu turi and, sensing that we were going to have a problem, I insisted with the contractor to do a good job. In fact, a steady stream of complaints from residents and motorists inundated my office pointing out the shoddiness and unprofessional way in which the works were being carried out.

Motorists and residents are the prime victims of the St Anne Street massacre. But the WSC tsunami has left other victims in its wake. All the shops, bars and restaurants in Marina Street have their backyards and backrooms one/two storeys beneath St Anne Street. The contractor's heavy plant went on a rampage causing damage in the water and drainage systems. The sufferers are the owners of the shops in Marina Street who have to tackle constant seeping and flooding of their backyards and backrooms. However, despite my pleas to the WSC to replace the damaged pipes of the water and sewage systems and to resurface St Anne Street and despite the resident's direct appeals to the same corporation and to its chairman Michael Falzon in particular, it seems nobody wants to listen. One has to be callous and arrogant indeed to break up another's property and then, instead of restoring to its original state, leave it as Mr Perrini has so aptly described.

I take this opportunity to inform Mr Perrini that during a meeting of Marsascala local council it was decided unanimously to give notice to all the residents of St Anne Street and to the shop owners of Marina Street that we are unhappy with and disappointed at the unprofessional way in which works were carried out in St Anne Street and that we are demanding by right that the WSC make amends by replacing the damaged water and sewage pipes and then resurface the street to return it to its original state.

I feel it is my duty to thank Mr Perrini for his support and hope that other civic-minded residents like him take up the cudgels against entities like the WSC that do not give a hoot about our needs and rights.