Overzealous bureaucracy (2)

Stephen Peters rightly expressed indignation that bars and restaurants in Xagħra have had their outside tables, chairs and pots of plants removed. As on a previous such occasion reported in the Times (The Public And Its Space, July 21), the action was approved by a chorus of bloggers and the government, quite illogically, was praised for being "pro-citizen and pro-business and pro tourism".

This is a very sad reflection of Malta's continuing archaic car-obsessed attitude to roads. The public space in villages which we call "road", "street" or "square" has been given over to the car. Instead of taking steps to encourage people back onto our streets, these streets have been turned into soulless bleak carriageways and parking spaces.

There is much wrong thinking behind this initiative to chase people off the street. Over the past 60 years or so our roads have been designed solely for vehicle traffic and maximising parking space. Our streets have become the exclusive preserve of vehicles and the social and recreational functions of these public spaces have been ignored.

Roads are dreary and uninviting with narrow pavements; they are empty of trees which might otherwise make them shady and more inviting in the summer. Such conditions discourage walking and introduce a negative health aspect.

Opening up space for (parking) cars by removing tables from a square diminishes the territory available to people.

Beautiful old village squares and residential streets are enhanced by people sitting outside and not enhanced by traffic. How right Mr Peters is: Where will visitors who have enjoyed many a summer evening outside, enjoying the life of the square while eating a lovely meal or relaxing over a beer or a glass of wine, go?