Last Sunday a notice by the Malta Transport Authority (ADT) was carried regarding a traffic diversion relating to the trenching works in Madliena Hill, which was being closed to traffic for 18 days. So far so good. However, the least the authorities could have done, in the circumstances, would have been to patch up the disastrous roads on the alternative route - Triq il-Madliena must be one of the worst roads in Malta and was totally overlooked in the much trumpeted six-day war on potholes.

To ADT's "any inconvenience is regretted" at the foot of its notice, and to the government authorities concerned, all I can say is: stop treating us like... dirt.