Complaints raised in the past by residents and visitors about the environmental neglect at the popular summer resort of Marsalforn appear to persist.

A case in point are the unnumbered boat trailers parked in front of people's garages at Il-Menqa rather than at the trailer parking place on the side of the valley and close to the spacious car park. Instead this space is littered with all sort of rubbish including mattresses and old beds.

The valley itself, it was pointed out, needs a good clean up. Neglect results in the accumulation of wild weeds, which, when dry, catch fire or are set alight, damaging trees, some of which are protected.

Wild growth in some areas had reached such dimensions that it is damaging the arches supporting the road leading to Marsalforn.

A summer resident remarked that at Il-Menqa, near the stationary ice cream kiosk, there are some very dangerous iron hooks on the ground close the steps leading down to the palette (concrete platform). Recently, a five-year-old boy fell and hurt himself because of this obstacle.

To be fair, a resident noted, improvements were made along the promenade but some benches that were damaged during the winter storms still beg to be replaced. More benches needed to be installed especially on the bridge.

Appeals by the business community and residents have been made to the Żebbuġ local council for more lighting in certain areas of Marsalforn, especially at Il-Menqa, which are in darkness once the ice cream kiosk and catering establishments in the area switch off their lights for the night.

The old practice by the Agriculture Department of placing flower pots along Marina Street and Il-Menqa during the summer also appears to have been discontinued, it was pointed out.

A Marsalforn resident also insisted on the need for Mepa to act in the case of an enforcement notice in Is-Sajjied Street. A gate and a wall, built without a permit, is illegally preventing the public from passing through Għar Qawqla Street to Xagħra Road, the resident noted. The case had been referred for direct action, Mepa records show.