Road signs that drive you crazy
I live in Old College Street, Sliema and have done so for the past three years. In the space of those short three years I have seen my street go through literally all possible combinations and permutations with regards to access to it. One week it's accessible from Manwel Dimech Street, the next it's not. The week after that it's accessible from Manwel Dimech Street, but only from the first turning on the left. The week after that it's only accessible from the second turning on the left.
Then Manwel Dimech Street itself is made one way. The week after, the one-way sign is covered with a black plastic bin-bag, taped into place. Actually, all the one-way signs in this street were covered with a plastic bin-bag at some point, though I lost count of when and how many times. Some months later these bags gradually come off of their own accord. On other occasions, the bags are evidently deliberately taken down.
Today I came face to face with a route bus, no less, coming down the narrow street that is Manwel Dimech. I kid you not. It would almost be funny if it wasn't downright dangerous. Evidently, Manwel Dimech Street is back to one way, and all this with nary a peep in the way of explanation or at least notice from our local council. And by notice I mean a letter/phone call/e-mail/poster/roadside notice made some weeks in advance - a tiny advert in the Social and Personal section of The Times on the very day changes come into effect simply does not cut it. What about those who read the papers when they get home in the evening?
I am writing to see if this problem is not only mine or if it is just me going insane. Or perhaps, it's too late and I've lost it already. In which case I would like to complain to those that made me this way, namely the St Julians local council, but with the craziness that's going on with the street signage around me, I fear that they've beaten me to it.
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pat camilleri
Nov 9th 2008, 08:29
Sliema was once a charming town, it is now dangerous to walk the streets. The pavements are broken , the roads akin to those in iraq.Shame on whoever is responsible. The governing bodies must start by putting a tax on properties which are not inhabited, there are plenty of those.This will generate money for their coffers, with which they can then repair the streets and pavements.Most countries have a tax on second homes,can you imagin what they will ern from people who own entire blocks of unihabited flats.Intoduce property tax I say, most European countries have it.It is disgraceful that one is liable to break a limb walking here.
lGalea
Nov 8th 2008, 17:27
Only in Malta
Erin Ciantar
Nov 8th 2008, 13:46
I now live in Msida but was born and raised in Sliema. Sliema is a mess and when I was looking for my first property staying in Sliema was not an option for me. As much I love it because it is my city, I couldn't wait to get out of there.
Apart from the problem you mentioned there are construction sites everywhere, blocked roads all the time and everyday you have the guess the route you're going to take. Apart from parking being a disaster. Every time I go to the south now I just know that I want to live there eventually. They have done a much better job at keeping their areas nice.