Managing the environment should extend to managing all factors that potentially have a negative impact on what is around us.

This is all the more important on a small island like ours. While great steps have been taken to improve the countryside including the rebuilding of rubble walls, the embellishment of roundabouts and centre strips and the removal of unsightly rusting drums on country walls, a new, more modern form of pollution seems to have crept in by the back door - advertising.

The previously unspoilt views from Valletta to St Paul's Bay and beyond are today marred by advertising banners hanging from virtually every lamp post on the route... and there are literally hundreds of lamp posts on the way. Is it possible that in granting a permit to use lamp posts for this type of advertising, consideration was not taken of the point where saturation would be reached?

I find, and I am sure there are many who do too, that the whole concept of banner advertising on lamp posts outside urban areas an intrusion and that it would be far better to be able enjoy the views we have without these being "embellished" by a never ending string of advertising banners.