I was already penning a complaint letter when an article titled ‘Shabby Sliema’ (September 2) instigated me to make a wake-up call to the National Commission for Persons with Disability. I’m sure I will be voicing the complaints of many others.

My wife suffers from a disability. Over the years it has become a nightmare for those with mobility problems to use pavements. The same goes for wheelchair users, those with walking aids and, to a certain extent, those with pushchairs or buggies.

Pavements have become veritable traps for the unaware.

It is better risking your life walking on the street than it is using walkways.

Walking on pavements, one comes across loose and dangerous cobblestones, uneven slabs, parked vehicles, illegal garage ramps and litter bags.

Very recently, an official car belonging to the Corradino Correctional Facility was parked across the pavement in Buġibba, blocking access.

Unfortunately, all these flagrant contraventions continue to occur with impunity.

Laws are not enforced and people with disabilities suffer the consequences.

What irks me most is that when pavements are built, instead of keeping in mind the safety and welfare of pedestrians and, more so, those having limited mobility, their design favours people with garages and we now have pavements resembling gentle tidal waves rather than having a clean and level surface.

Is it possible that the commission never received any complaints about the hazards mentioned above?

I appeal to the authorities to tackle this problem immediately because it seems not enough serious effort has been put in so far.

To end on a positive note, one must acknowledge and appreciate the sterling work done by the commission over the years.