Alfred Griscti (The Sunday Times of Malta, July 20) hits out at people calling for Bisazza Street to be reopened for traffic, alleging that they have an “obvious personal agenda” and that their only motive is “to further the interests of Qui-si-Sana residents”.

Well, neither motivation was an offence the last time I checked, but then it is equally legitimate to question Griscti’s virulence on this topic. As for myself, let me assure him that I live nowhere near the Qui-si-Sana/Tigné area.

The detour of all traffic along Qui-si-Sana and Tigné Seafront adds considerably to increased emission of carbon dioxide and also noxious fumes in the area.

Furthermore, at a time when increasing energy efficiency is an imperative, the detour means an increased consumption of imported fossil fuel, with the resulting increased expense for motorists. In this context, one surely recalls the substantial financial payout made to Arriva to compensate for the increased distance travelled by its route buses because of the closing of Bisazza Street.

I do not see why this should be an ‘all or nothing’ matter. Bisazza Street can be opened for traffic between, say, 8pm and 9am six days a week, and opened all day on Sundays. This means that it will be pedestrianised during shopping hours but open for traffic, including public transport, when the street is devoid of life, also during the weekday morning rush hour.

This way, traffic will still continue to be directed towards The Point during shopping hours, but motorists, including buses, will avoid the long detour involving increased expense and harmful emissions, as well as inconvenience for residents at other times. Bisazza Street is completely dead when the shops close – even the kebab joint there closes at 7.30pm, and starts disposing of its unsold food at half-price from 6pm.

I believe that this would be a workable compromise which goes a long way in balancing legitimate interests and helping the environment.