I read with interest a recent piece by Lino Spiteri on keeping Malta attractive. I would like to focus on an area with which I have been acquainted, and living in, for many years: the Victoria Lines at Dwejra, where the lines form a unique section of this monument of military architecture.

In 1881 the 12-kilometre line joined together three detached forts initiated in 1875 along the escarpment, Malta’s Great Fault Line, and eventually finished in 1897.

After 1948, when this historic area was under British supervision, there were regular inspections. The road from Sir Temi Zammit Road to the top of Dwejra and its historic Dwejra/Victoria Lines, that provide one of the most impressive sections of the line and offer superb views of both the north and south of the island, were properly asphalted and looked after, showing the considerable discipline employed in maintaining the area.

Clearly times change and today the British have been replaced by local council control and whatever links they may have to the appropriate authorities. Since then this road that leads to residences in this area and the Victoria Lines that are so well promoted to encourage walkers, hikers and tourists, can only be referred to as a disgrace.

At one time Dwejra was attached to the council of Mosta but for whatever reason, parts of the area were then switched to the councils of Rabat and Mġarr so that eventually Dwejra became the responsibility of both Rabat and Mġarr councils. It appears, however, that the fireworks factory at Dwejra is still under the district of Mosta. Is there an integration of policy, decision making and implementation between these three local councils with regard to Dwejra?

The existing condition of the road, which foreign and local visitors complain about, not to mention the real damage to vehicles that use it, the rubbish that is strewn about on Sundays and holidays and the lack of monitoring of the area by any local council officer, at least to my knowledge, suggest that existing structures do not collaborate or have an interest in supporting the promotion of the area following the restoration of the Dwejra Victoria Lines and other landmarks that may be reached through it.

There is, unfortunately, no doubt at all that there are a large number of inconsiderate people who come to Dwejra to picnic and give no consideration to environmental cleanliness. I am sure, however, that these are not matters which cooperation between two or should I say three responsible councils cannot deal with.

Advertising walks to Dwejra Victoria Lines is hardly advisable when the road to reach them, which winds steeply up to 200 metres above sea level, provides the potential of foot sprains or a fractured bones.

I have often met tourists and foreign bird watchers who are eager to learn something more from local residents. Almost all of them say they cannot understand why the road, indeed the area leading to a world heritage site, is abandoned. A very relevant point is safe ambulance access and egress. Only two months ago an ambulance transporting a patient to hospital went into a culvert as a result of trying to avoid the large and deep potholes. Fortunately no one was hurt.

Several local councils already have joint committees. Is it not time for a joint steering committee of the three councils that have Dwejra and the Victoria Lines within their responsibility, so as to adopt a policy to deal with these issues? Perhaps they could also cooperate with the Malta Tourism Authority, Gaia Foundation, Ministry for Urban Development and Roads, the Malta Cycling Federation and even the Heritage Planning Unit to ensure that future funding of restoration includes allocation of some funds for appropriate access! This would ensure that provision is made for a holistic approach towards heritage sites in cooperation with other appropriate bodies.

It would be encouraging to see some effort to improve the road and erection of appropriate environmental signs in this area in addition to being remembered only when an election is due!