The parents of an 11-year-old boy who requires an urgent test normally carried out at the paediatric day ward, and which requires a six-hour stay in hospital, were told the test cannot be done straightaway because the ward has been handed over to the geriatric section, which is experiencing a shortage of beds. Is this the best that the state-of-the-art hospital administration can come up with?

Wastage

On January 25, street lights were still on in the morning and afternoon in parts of Għadira and in other areas nearby. The weather was fine and sunny, so the light made absolutely no difference to residents and motorists. This column has long asked for a manual override to automated timer switches, which would stop this happening. A helpline where such occurrences could be reported would be a boon, too.

Rivulets

Meanwhile, one notes that, after a rainy day, clear water runs downhill from fields that stand on a slope because sand would be saturated and there is no way that excess water could be saved for future use. This, too, is wanton waste because water is being wasted on one side and desalinated on the other, using up precious energy.

Pedestrians

With all the fuss made about areas in Valletta and elsewhere that have been made into pedestrian zones, it is high time Chadwick Lakes would follow suit. It gets very annoying when one is out for a walk to have to keep a look-out for vehicles. Some drivers, moreover, are very inconsiderate and will not reduce speed, expecting people to jump out of the way.

Smart?

In March 2008, the Ministry of Infrastructure issued a call for applications for different courses. Meanwhile, telephone numbers for the sections in question have changed often and when people finally trace the correct office they are given short shrift. Staff do not appear to know when courses are being held because "after all, they are free". Seeing that the basic course was scheduled for July 2008, people are beginning to wonder whether the courses were only touted as an electoral gimmick.

Disastrous

This column has often had cause to complain about the state of St Christopher Street, in Valletta. Now a large pothole has appeared a few metres down from the gilder's studio, as one turns down from St Paul's Street. Since the pavement along this street is rather narrow people tend not to use it and so this makes it dangerous both for vehicles and for pedestrians.

Accounts

It has been said that the funds that were destined to be used for the Ta' Qali crafts village upgrade project did not materialise. Why, exactly? Was it due to negligence? If so, will anybody be held accountable? Or are some individuals beyond reproach?

Rubbish

Local councils and the central government have to spend money filling in potholes that are worsened by the rain. These usually occur due to shoddy workmanship. So it would be logical to make the contractors responsible for this to repair the roads at their own cost. If they knew they would have to pay this type of compensation for substandard work it would perhaps spur them to pay more attention to the job the first time around.

Unstable

Could any Enemalta executive explain whether building contractors are usually allowed to connect their tower cranes to the power supply? Is it possible that in areas where the power supply is already way below the required voltage such added load could exacerbate the situation?

Safety?

To continue on this topic, can Enemalta put consumers' minds at ease that where such connections do occur all relevant health and safety measures are taken with regard to the installation of power lines? Noticing cables passing through tree branches and attached to balconies at points may not be very reassuring even if the arrangement is only temporary. After all, there is no such thing as a temporary accident!

Multiplied

This column has long pointed out that, despite notices to the effect that skips are for domestic use only, when they happen to be near industrial estates all manner of rubbish is thrown into them. When they are in a place visible from a main road they are apt to be used by people from outside the area, too. One local council has taken the easy way out of this dilemma. Rather than remove the skip, it has added another one to it. Therefore, rubbish is now piling up around both skips.

Missing

A van with one wheel missing has been languishing in the parking space in front of the Ursuline Sisters' Crêche chapel, in Guardamangia, for several months now. Is it possible that no effort is being made by its owner to find a wheel that actually fits and to drive it off before it falls to pieces?

Artwork

Most artisans and craftsmen at the Ta' Qali crafts village have invested a lot of money in their machinery and equipment. Asking them to move lock, stock and barrel makes absolutely no sense. Many of them would, indeed, be ready to spend even more money to make their workshops a more hospitable and attractive place without any help forthcoming from the EU or any other entity. The question begs itself: Why were they not asked for their opinion about this?

Bottleneck

The usual reminder to the Malta Transport Authority about the traffic bottleneck that ensues close to the US Ambassador's residence in Attard during the rush hour. Can the ADT demonstrate some basic courtesy and at least explain what it is doing or not doing? That it is impotent has now become crystal-clear. It might just as well disappear.