The proposals for vertical transportation of people by hydraulic or traction lifts does nothing in the way of inspiring me to see the very happy and outward-looking Maltese people as also having a sense of fun, as well as the shrewd counting of the costs and the cash.

Inclined rail rise and fall cars would be far cheaper to operate and maintain because one falling car transfers the motion to the rising car with reduced electric motor sizes and cabling. It should be possible to have, say, a hundred-person pair, a 40-person pair and a 10-person pair.

To really provide something for all the age groups, and in particular the young at heart, multiple tube, down only, totally enclosed helter-skelter slides could wrap around the inclined planes to give the thrill of your life. Staircases could also be incorporated for stand-by and maintenance purposes.

Lets hope the city fathers can show that they have not yet passed the point of no return and that youngsters will demand the same sort of voice as the theatre and opera crowd can muster.