With much fanfare and pomp, a road – yes a road – was officially opened some years back, pledging to be something which would increase the attractiveness of Paceville.

To be fair, the road was part of a project that included zany street lighting and street furniture. But in all seriousness, the opening of the road was made out to be the next thing since sliced bread.

The road we are talking about is Triq Santu Wistin, the one leading down to St George’s Bay. The surface of the road is appalling and it is clear that the material used to build it was substandard and quite clearly not up to the job.

If you drive up the road, you would think that you are on some kind of water park ride, the undulations are that bad.

In some places, the weight and traction of vehicles has literally left track marks in the tar, which has come up to the surface. The aggregate mix, used to make asphalt, seems to have been heavy on the tar, meaning that not enough binding was present. If one were to look down the hill, one would almost think that the road is slipping away; downhill.

First of all, the road needs rebuilding. Those bumps are felt a lot more on tourist coaches than they are in smaller cars. Given that it is a prime entertainment spot, and the site of a hotel, it should be seen to as soon as possible. We simply cannot carry on with the attitude of “it will do”.

That road is a major thoroughfare in one of the most busy areas on the island – its current state is disgraceful. What is worse is that when it was built, the authorities said that it was made out of top quality material and built according to the latest (at the time) specifications.

Sometimes the government and local council must think people are stupid. People remember pledges and promises – doubly so if they are not honoured. This is one such case. The powers that be cannot continue to promise people the earth and deliver shoddy work in return. It happens all too often and while such project may offer a brief respite as a quick fix, the long-term feeling is one of disillusion, resentment and being let down. Get it sorted, if it wasn’t serious, it would be comical. What a joke!