I fear that some of your journalists may have misunderstood the plot about April Fools, and the spoof stories that have traditionally appeared, especially in English-language newspapers, on April 1. The idea is that the spoof stories should appear only on the first day of the month; they do not run for the whole of April!

So the story, New Unit for Immediate Road Repairs (April 4), while brilliant as a parody, was three days too late.

Where it scored particularly well is that, on second reading, its flaw becomes immediately apparent: you obviously cannot have a 24-hour pothole-repair service unless you launch it at a time when there are no, or very few, potholes.

The crunch line, of course, and the give-away to any reader who might have nursed any doubt, was the idea of a freephone number for people to call – it could be run along the same lines as the system for reporting excessive exhaust fumes (remind me, how is that one going?).

Having worked in the business for many years, I know how difficult it is to come up with ideas for All Fools’ Day stories. Perhaps I could suggest a few for future consideration: Work on the Ċirkewwa project and the Mġarr Marina will be concluded within the year.

The mess known as Chambray will be sorted out.

A final and conclusive decision will be made about Ħondoq.

There will be a decent road to Qala.

Something – anything, really – will be done about Marsalforn.

All future public works will be completed on time and within budget, or the contractors will face financial penalties. There will be wheelchair and pushchair access from the main car-park in Victoria at least as far as It-Tokk.

A moratorium on all roadworks and external building works during the tourist season.

The ferries will depart on time.

That’s only a few ideas, and only from Gozo. Folk on the south island may have more and better suggestions.

Meanwhile, rest assured that we are all still laughing at the pothole send-up... Excellent!