I cannot but agree fully with what Konrad Thake wrote in his letter Cut And Paste Architecture, (June 10) with regards to the new paving project in St George's Square, Valletta. Everyone agrees that this project is necessary but once more we are rushing into a project without making sure that the detailing is correct.

I have already written substantially about this matter and will not repeat my arguments. I wish however to point to the photo that appeared with the article, by our best known historian of modern and contemporary architecture, and reinstate what I have always said. This is the fact that there was a clearly identified street. Making the whole area of the square come right up to the Palace is not acceptable because this is ruining the grid pattern of Valletta which is one of the original elements of the urban design of the city. In all the historic photos I have seen, contrary to what the current Valletta Rehabilitation Project states, the street was clearly identifiable, so much so that the square was cut off from the rest with decorative lamp-posts. This photo reconfirms this point. Furthermore, I know for certain its from the time that I was in charge, that the original lava paving is still there (even though not in its totality).

I wish to also mention two other elements. The first is that I cannot simply understand the argument that the trees are damaging the underground tunnels. There is simply no proof of this. To be fair, the original trees in the square were in boxes but the memory of the square is with the planted trees. The tunnels are not in front of the Main Guard and as far as I know (but I may be wrong) the two restaurants that are adjacent to the part where the Italian Cultural Institute is have never complained that the trees are damaging these "tunnels".

Finally, those proposed lamp-posts! St George's Square deserves to be restored to its original elegance. While it is true that this is a modern intervention, the square must not be treated as if it is in some modern area of our island such as Sliema or Paceville. The design must respect and reflect the historic and architectural importance of the square.

One last question: Are the works undertaken being supervised by an archaeologist? From what I have seen there is no supervision. I have no doubt therefore that the original clay piping to the fountain will be destroyed when these deserve to be conserved.