I refer to the interesting article ‘Envisioning Floriana as a walkable garden’ (The Sunday Times of Malta, May 17).

I congratulate the four young architects for the preparation of the masterplan for St Anne Street and Pope John XXIII Square in Floriana. Their contribution is to be commended.

However, for the record, the concept to convert St Anne Street into a pedestrian zone goes back to 1994, during my first term of office as a mayor of Floriana. I recall that the council had commissioned an artist’s impression of a new concept for St Anne Street.

The proposal also included the positioning of the bronze statue of Grand Master Antonio Manoel De Vilhena (presently at Pope John XXIII Square) to the centre of St Anne Street. The whole idea was to develop an underpass for vehicles and give St Anne Street back to the people.

In 1994 and 1995, the Floriana council had informally discussed the project with then Mepa chairman Alfred Fabri, who was impressed with such an idea and encouraged the council to push forward the concept with the central government.

Just for the record, at that time the authorities were more prone to develop the Independence Arena into an administrative complex.

Unfortunately, Floriana lacks the political backing for new projects and any minor infrustructural improvements in the locality take place only when an important visitor or event is envisaged.

Over the years Floriana has been robbed of its territory to make way for government administrative offices at Beltissebħ, Mepa and government agencies and authorities. In the meantime, Floriana residents have been struggling to get decent and accessible accommodation to live in.

It is high time Floriana is given more investment in return for its contribution as an administrative centre. I sincerely hope that the pleas of Floriana residents to give them back the locality will not keep falling on deaf ears.