The garbage collector who calls at Kola Xara Street and surroundings in Rabat is fairly haphazard in his timing, which varies sometimes by as much as 15 minutes either way. It is understandable that he could be late on Mondays, following the weekends, but it is highly inconvenient for residents when he is early, and they may not yet have put out their garbage bags. This is encouraging them to put their rubbish out much, much earlier than needed.

Some people are absolutely insane. Why such a sweeping statement? Well, the Health Department clearly marks bays which are not fit for use to swim in. These include the Qalet Marku area of the Coast Road – which has been closed to bathers for the long term and more recently Balluta Bay, due to faecal pollution. People can still regularly be seen swimming there. It is absolute madness. The warnings are there for a reason. One wonders what side effects they must incur.

The side roads in Constitution Street, Mosta, are in dire need of some attention. The vast majority of entrances to the side roads have a red brick hump, presumably to discourage drivers from pulling into them at high speed. This is all well and good. However, a good number of them are falling to bits leaving large pot holes. These are a menace to pedestrians and motorists alike – one can damage a car, or an ankle for that matter, very easily.

The practice of putting down large metal sheets to cover trenches should be stopped and sooner rather than later. Workmen who do not finish a job have literally got into the habit of putting down such sheets when they pack up for the day, or worse, the weekend. These are unsafe as they do not hold their position. They are also very noisy which is a discomfort for people living in the vicinity. Come on, does it take that much to either finish the job before going home, or at least mark an area out well in advance to approaching it.

Trucks. How many times do we have to bring this up? This column must be the bane of the ADT’s life. Trucks are obliged to cover their tops with tarpaulins when carrying loads of waste. In addition they are also obliged to secure them to ensure that debris does not fall out onto the road. It is very clear that these laws are being flouted. One reader called in to say that she had to swerve out of the way when a number of wooden boxes fell off a truck which was in front of her. Another called in to say that she had seen a truck carrying mattresses physically dragging one behind it. It was tied to the axle by a rope and simply dragged in. Is this possibly 2007?

Prompt action is always appreciated by the consumer. A man called in recently to complain that he had been refused car finance from a company without being given a reason. He told us that he requested an appointment with someone at the said company and the issue was sorted out in a matter of 30 minutes. The deal changed in terms of repayment, but there were two happy bunnies. A man with a new car and a manager who satisfied a customer as well as having gained a sale. More if you please.

It’s about time that bus drivers got their act together. A lot of the old buses are still very heavy polluters. A couple of years ago, we were told that owners of older buses would have to change them or at least get in line with emissions regulations. Yet, we still see clouds of black (or white) smoke billowing out of the back of these vehicles. It’s about time.