The comments I heard from Zebbug residents occupying the benches along St Philip’s main square are quite different from the reply given by the Żebbuġlocal council (The Sunday Times, February 24).

“This state of the art showcase” as described by the spokesman for the Żebbuġ council had to be patched in several parts for the defective final layer of the tarmac laid last November.

I am sure the councilors like the residents are very concerned that it will deteriorate further in the very near future due to what has been described “the final thin coat of the finished product”.

On the question of the street lighting of this main road leading to the village core the true reason is quite different from the version submitted by the council.

Originally Vjal il-Helsien had 20 lamp posts. This has now been increased to 96 and Enemalta is objecting to bear the costs of this extra lighting. The excuse that architects failed to seek Enemalta’s permission to increase the road lighting does not hold water. Enemalta’s concern is with the excessive increase to the consumption of electricity that the increase of the number of poles will entail.

Another problem is the irresponsible manner in which this street has been left without road markings especially zebra crossings for a whole four month period up to this day.

Finally, I can imagine the frustration of the mayor and all the councilors over the various defective and incomplete works they are experiencing in the long overdue building of a number of streets in Żebbuġ.

Not less the concern of the residents who for a number of years are still faced with unbearable situations within their particular areas with no end in sight.