I am full of admiration for the many volunteers who spend hours decorating our towns and villages for the annual feast. They deserve our thanks. However, more attention should be given to public safety as some bulky decorations put the lives of pedestrians in great danger.

For years on end, we’ve witnessed old people, pregnant women and mothers with pushchairs having to step on to Republic Street, just outside the Bishop’s curia, in Victoria as the already very narrow pavement is totally obstructed by an ornate pedestal (see photo).

A few days ago, I was heading towards It-Tokk when I had to look back to see whether there was any oncoming traffic and my foot slipped on the edge of the pavement and I ended up falling onto the main road with traffic heading towards me. I suffered bruises and pains but it could have been a fatal accident.

It is about time this and other inconveniences do not put the lives of people at risk. I thank the good Samaritans who remained with me as I recovered my strength to go to a pharmacy where I was taken care of.