Works have been undertaken on behalf of the Ħamrun local council in Duke of Edinburgh Street, between St Joseph Street and St Gaetan Street. The works are being carried out without the supervision of a local warden. It would seem the council is not engaging wardens in order to save money.

The works will be taking longer than predicted. This is causing untold inconvenience to nearby residents. For example, when there is no barrier in place to impede access to the part of the road where construction is taking place (and there being no warden controlling the site and the restricting vehicular access) drivers enter Duke of Edinburgh Street from St Gaetan side and end up traversing a considerable stretch before realising that the remainder of the road is closed. They then have no option but to reverse all the way back down, regularly hitting a number of parked cars in the process, among them two of my own.

There is no sign where the barrier has been put up warning motorists that they cannot go through from the other side.

I have asked the council to reimburse the damage caused but to no avail. My repeated requests and letters I have sent through my lawyer have remained unanswered.

Thus, in order for the council to save money, the Ħamrun residents risk serious damage being inflicted on their cars. I do believe that that council is responsible, due to its negligence, for all the damage caused to me and to the other residents and owners of vehicles.

A plastic barrier is no alternative to a warden and a council should set an example to citizens and not act contrary to the way it should and cause hardship to residents instead.

To add insult to injury, the area of Duke of Edinburgh Street where there is time-parking is not being monitored by wardens, thus causing even more hardship to the residents in this street due to the restricted parking available. Their parking space is being taken at times by shop owners or others without the authorised permit.