Although, admittedly, works are still in progress on the Renzo Piano City Gate project, it does not mean the place should be in shambles. The pictures show two instances which demand attention: one is the deteriorating wooden handrail – a more durable type of wood should have been chosen; the other is rubbish accumulating in a gap at one end of the bridge.

Horse power

In Ħamrun, last week, a horse-drawn cab simply drove on as law-abiding motorists waited patiently until the lights turned from red to green. A day or two earlier, the cabby was even more inconsiderate. He stopped momentarily to allow two or three people in a larger group to cross the road but drove on even as the rest were still on the zebra crossing near the War Memorial.

Narrow gap

The narrow pavement on the Breast Screening Centre side in Lascaris Wharf, Valletta, is used by many cruise passengers. Hence, ensuring it is always kept in top condition would not be amiss. And while they’re at it, the powers-that-be should also ensure that the Valletta electric cabs technicians, who have a workshop there, allow free passage outside their door. Often, electric cables (used to charge car batteries) and plastic barriers make that part of the pavement somewhat hazardous.

Plain inaction

The state of parts of an open area used as a car park opposite Scotts Supermarket, in Triq il-Għemba, Attard, calls for immediate action, though a resident who called in says the local council has been informed but to no avail. Skips there are emptied regularly but what falls on the ground remains on the ground. Also, overgrown shrubs are prone to fires.

Park as you like

This is a clear example of haphazard parking in Fgura, which, at times, means garages and even house doors are blocked. To be honest, it is a habit that is prevalent across the Maltese islands. As can be seen, one of the vehicle’s wheels mounts the pavement. It is such cases that local wardens should be tackling not hiding behind trees to ‘catch’ motorists making genuine mistakes.

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