Valletta has taken a leap into the present (sic) with the introduction of battery-operated cabs to supplement the Controlled Vehicular Access system in an attempt to curb pollution levels in the city.

This is a very good idea and is sure to work well with the pedestrianisation of parts of the capital city. The cabs themselves are affordable, at 45 cents per trip in the central area and 90 cents for a one-way trip into Valletta from the periphery. Another good idea is to have a phone order service by which people can call either a landline or mobile number to order a taxi, as well as being able to find them at cab stands.

When one looks at all the measures that have come into effect to make Valletta more pedestrian-friendly, one would definitely have to say that there is a sound base from which to set off.

First of all, the park and ride scheme was introduced, which definitely reduced the number of cars entering the capital. In a way, this also helped raise awareness about the pooling concept. Many people were rather sceptical about boarding a minibus with others to make their way into Valletta, but by and large this attitude seems to be waning.

Though, it has to be said, the cramped crowding in the vans has been commented on unfavourably.

In addition to the park and ride scheme, we have the CVA, which might have increased the number of visitors to Valletta, but which has definitely reduced the clutter of parked vehicles and traffic in the city centre.

This, of course, will go hand-in-hand with the pedestrianisation of parts of the capital, which has long been overdue.

The cabs, of course, will alleviate the drudgery of having to trudge all the way from the periphery ring road, and will be an attraction in themselves. But where do we go from here? Valletta has long needed a facelift. Granted, some work has been done – Republic Street has been paved, a lot of old wiring has been removed and air conditioning units are now being put in places where they are out of sight. But there is a lot more that needs doing.

There is still, of course, the matter of the Opera House war ruins.

It is pointless making Valletta a “greener” city if we do not also look at the aesthetics of it. Make no mistake, a lot has already been done. Various restoration projects have been completed very successfully, both on the outside and in, and we have had the revamping of the Barrakka gardens. But there are still a few eyesores left. Certain areas, such as Strait Street and others, really do need looking into.

Many pavements need replacing and many Valletta residents (as well as NGOs) have been appealing for the underground tunnels to be cleared out. This could also be a tourist attraction – it is amazing what people go for when they are visiting cities. London and New York, for example, have opened up disused underground stations as an attraction, and they have proved to be

popular.

But the government’s main priority by far should be the entrance to Valletta. If, as has been rightly argued recently, having the open air market traders carrying on their business there is not edifying for a capital city, neither is the entrance itself – City Gate – that was designed and built when the two attractive “gates” were removed in the 1960s.

And the dingy appearance of Freedom Square speaks for itself.

The bus terminus, long earmarked for an overhaul, desperately needs one – if not relocation and redesign. Its only merit is the excellent Tritons fountain, the grand design of which should inspire one to match for City Gate.