As a resident of Castle Street, Victoria, I have come to the conclusion that somebody in authority has it in for those of us who live here.

For the past two years we have had to put up with constant noise, dirt and dust, even on Sundays and public holidays, while work on the citadel and the surrounding roads has taken its leisurely pace.

Without any warning we have found that the water supply has been turned off, we are unable to leave the garage, sometimes for a week or more at a time, or even leave our flat without enduring some hazard or other because the relevant authorities have failed to provide any warning or even given any thought to what the residents, many of whom are elderly, have to endure.

To add insult to injury, we found out a few months ago that some genius in the Gozo Ministry had come up with the idea that a large gas tank should be installed near residences in order to supply two extremely ugly torches placed in Independence Square. Those responsible clearly not only have no sense of aesthetics but could not be bothered to consult with residents before seeking planning permission.

Now we find a Planning Authority notice proposing to pull down a villa of some architectural merit to build a three-storey car park in the middle of what is a residential street. No attempt whatsoever has been made to consult, or even explain, to residents about what is going on.

So for possibly another two years, if we are lucky, residents will have to endure more noise, mud and dust while contractors take their time to complete their work. Those who can will, once again, migrate to their summer residences on the coast while those of us who must remain will have to put up with the constant nuisance and will almost certainly be kept in the dark by an uncaring and unconcerned bureaucracy.