The heavy rainfall that hit Malta last Tuesday has once again exposed all the weaknesses in our road system, particularly in areas that are known to flood.

While it must be said that the work that has been carried out by the Resources and Infrastructure Ministry since the September 2003 storm has in no small way helped to alleviate the problems that ensue each time it rains, there are still other areas that are badly hit each time there is a heavy downpour.

I was glad to hear, for example, that the ministry is planning a multi-million liri project (TMID, 14 December) to construct an underground network of tunnels through which water can flow, and thereby reduce problems in Birkirkara, Msida and Balzan.

I do hope that the government will get all the funds needed from the European Union to help it in this regard.

But the government must also look at other areas too. Drivers encounter difficulties in many parts of Malta and even such areas should be looked into.

What has been done since September 2003 is a start. What will hopefully be done with the underground tunnel network is a second step, but this does not mean that we should stop there.

P. Micallef

Sliema