At long last, after the long overdue request I having been making through letters to your newspaper, my wish has finally been granted. I am referring to the narrow end of Triq Mrabat, which was a great inconvenience to drivers going down to Old College Street who could not pass comfortably because of parked cars on the left. The street was too narrow for two cars to pass, with parked cars making it almost impossible to manoeuvre, and this was even more difficult when a bus or any other heavy vehicle was involved.

Thanks to the Pope’s visit, and his scheduled drive up this street, double yellow lines have been painted all along this 150-metre stretch, which definitely makes it easier for everyone who drives down it. Let’s hope that the wardens keep a vigilant eye on this stretch so that drivers do not ignore the yellow lines.

But my other request is still a dream. I cannot understand why the refuse collectors have to do their rounds at about 7.30am, when this same stretch of road is full of traffic. This hinders the traffic flow, especially on working days. If the collection is made half-an-hour earlier or later, (I’m not suggesting night collection, as happens abroad), there won’t be any traffic jams.

Thanks to the Pope being driven through the street next to your offices, we have witnessed a much-needed facelift. The road has been tarmacked, trees have been pruned, railings and borders painted (only on the side of the road!), traffic signs renovated, skips removed… I have never witnessed such energetic work being done in this area since we came to live here more than 40 years ago! May the Pope returns to this area at least every other year!

G. Gatt

SLIEMA