Barrakka lift proposal

The article about the Barrakka lift was good news in the sense that something is to be done but I was very disappointed by the proposal. The old lift was a great eyesore but the new proposal is not such a big improvement.

Surely in this day and age an inclined or raked panoramic lift which hugs the sloping bastions and minimises visual intrusion would have been more appropriate for a World Heritage City.

Such lifts are now very common - we already have a small one at Portomaso - and would probably be cheaper as all the horizontal platforms and bracings are avoided. The idea of a vertical lift, reminiscent of the old times when it would have been operated by a pulley, is totally inappropriate for such a historic context.

Environmental considerations demand a sleeker design fitting snugly against the background of the bastions.

As far as I am aware the proposal was never shown for public consultation and I hope we are still in time to avoid a big and unnecessary environmental affront to the fortifications of our capital city.