On the dot

Valletta mayor Alexei Dingli has finally bitten the bullet and decided to do something tangible about the derelict buildings in Valletta, most of which pose a risk to life and limb. There is no doubt that some of the premises he could get foiled under health and safety regulations include the ones at East Street overlooking the Grand Harbour. The wooden balconies are missing slats and this can only lead to uncomplimentary conjecture about what the apartments themselves are like.

Weeds

Meanwhile, one notes that further down East Street itself, right below the bridges that were utilised in the film Munich, and just before one comes to Victoria Gate, weeds are growing through the walls. This must certainly be weakening the walls.

Posted

Along Marina Street, Pietà, in the part of the promenade leading from the ex-torpedo depot towards Sa Maison and right in front of Brincat Motors, is a three-bulb heavy cast iron lamppost, bearing numbers 11, 12 and 13. The concrete pedestal is crumbling and this makes it in danger of collapsing. Over the last months, reports about it have been filed with the Civil Protection Department, the Msida police station and the Pietà local council. Yet, nothing has been done.

Sickening

The boundary wall of St Luke's Hospital in Guardamangia Hill, in the general area opposite the ambulance garage, is in a very dilapidated state and in imminent danger of collapsing. Indeed, some months ago the entire pavement was cordoned off by police barriers but when these were quietly taken away nothing else happened. The rains have made some of the stones in the wall crumble further and the danger is still there.

Walled

Another boundary wall that had parts of it replaced, but is now appearing more structurally weak than ever, is the part surrounding Vincenzo Bugeja Home. The complete section in the Fleur-de-Lys roundabout area has bits missing and in some areas one can see through to the gardens of the building. This ought to have been seen to before the grille was replaced after the first bout of restoration.

Lamplights

On June 5, a resident called the Attard local council to report that street lamp 167/13 affixed to premises in Triq Sant'Antnin was faulty. Phone calls were made as reminders every fortnight. On October 1, the information was given that although the premises were actually an Attard address, this particular lamp falls under the competency of Balzan's council. On October 16, the Balzan council was informed of the situation but, again, nothing was done to repair the street lamp. Since then, the next two lamps in line, in the vicinity of the back entrance to San Anton Palace, seem to have developed the same fault, so it must be a more serious than simply changing a faulty bulb. There is a good stretch of the road in total darkness.

Investments

This last month, one particular household has had three phone calls from different companies asking whether any advice was needed with regard to investments. When asked where the telephone number was obtained from, the reply was always "from the telephone directory". This sounds too good to be a true coincidence. Besides, how is it that the companies making the calls - one of which suggested that a representative call on the morrow to "help" with decisions - had an inclination that any investments actually existed?

Log-On!

Where do the people who prune roadside trees get their training? Sometimes, it seems that they are only keen on piling up neatly-sawn logs on the pavement, for collection later, rather than making sure that trees remain things of beauty. Moreover, it is fairly bizarre that trees that have resin (conifers), those that have weak wood (such as Judas trees) and others (palms) remain untouched when all the rest of the trees in a street have branches lopped off willy-nilly.

Islanders

Going up from Msida police station, via Rue D'Argens, the road leads to Arcidiacono Showrooms. There it is split into two by a seemingly extraneous, and certainly dangerous, traffic island. This was once highlighted by an illuminated yellow cone. Many months ago, this cone was downed and destroyed, in an accident, and has yet to be replaced. Consequently, cars often crash into the traffic island at night, but no one seems to care.

Stripes

Someone gave a brief to workers to paint the zebra crossing in front of the ex-Radio City, in Ħamrun. This job was carried out last Wednesday, at 8 a.m., plainly the start of the rush hour. The traffic flow to Valletta was hampered no end.

Bridges

It's about time to remind the authorities that the expansion joints just before Manuel Dimech Bridge (on the way to Paceville/Pembroke) should be fixed or replaced. The first expansion joint is protruding to such an extent that it's not the first time tyres were punctured.

Tunnels

The media gave much attention to the flow of water in the Sta Venera tunnels. By now, many have latched on to the fact that even the tunnel from Paceville to San Ġwann is leaking water on the side. It is not yet affecting the traffic flow, however it is evidently dripping on the pavement despite the fact that there has been no rain for a number of days.

Termination

The road surface in the general area of the bus terminus at Fleur-de-Lys must be seen to immediately. The part at the end of Fleur-de-Lys Road is a junction where cars come from several directions at once. Having to negotiate potholes, or having one's vehicle tyres caught in them, is no joke when bottlenecks result all too often because one selfish driver will not give way.