Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar (FAA) would like to draw the public’s attention to some positive results, finally, on the environmental front. We are happy to note that the opinions expressed vociferously by the public are being taken into account, at least as regards Valletta.
The conversion of the remains of the Royal Opera House into an open-air theatre is the optimum temporary solution, given its present sorry state and the financial burden that a major reconstruction project would impose on the country.
The shelving of the project to chop down the trees on Castille Square is welcomed as, apart from the architecture versus greenery debate, it is felt that Valletta faces far more pressing problems. With signs that the paving issue is being taken in hand (one hopes that any surviving original paving will be retained) the replacement of City
Gate and the upgrading of the bus terminus remain an urgent priority. Just as importantly, Valletta residents are facing serious public sanitation issues: given the heavy commercial activity and thousands of visitors that visit the city daily, public cleansing remains a headache. The situation of Valletta’s rat-infested sewers has been highlighted in the past but never properly addressed. Similar problems are posed by Valletta’s pigeon population.
Pigeons are potential carriers of disease, a health hazard which increases with the proliferation of open-air cafes in the city. Their acidic droppings are highly damaging to stonework, wreaking untold harm to Valletta’s unique architecture. A long- overdue programme to tackle these two problems should be undertaken as soon as possible.
It is augured that the money saved from the Castille Square conversion will be spent wisely on a project which benefits the health and well-being of Valletta’s residents and visitors.
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