Aqueduct restoration

I cannot but wonder how one could be made to believe that restoration work on the Wignacourt aqueduct would be completed by the end of this month. What about the part of the aqueduct in Peter Paul Rubens Street, Attard? The restoration in this part of the aqueduct is far from complete.

The base of the stretch in Sta Venera underwent a thorough clean-up, albeit weeds have re-grown in the past weeks, and I am informed that paving and electrical works still to be done in Attard cannot be performed before proper cleaning up, proper road works and a strong retaining wall is constructed. This surely cannot be completed by the end of the month!

Due to varying street levels, this part of the aqueduct in Attard is now more than three quarters below street level. This street has been left in the same state since the Water Services Corporation commissioned works in connection with the Rabat-Birkirkara water pipeline over five years ago. At that time, before the works started, most of the lower part of the street was about two metres lower than the present level.

Construction debris was dumped there to form the street to house the 22-inch diameter pipes for that project and no consideration was given to lay a second pipeline from which water service may be given to the residents of the street. Till today, seven houses in this street share a one-inch plastic water pipe as a main for their water service.

A 10-foot space was left between the aqueduct and the so-called street for which a strong retaining wall had to be constructed. Ironically, the owners of the plots of land on the other side of the street did construct a retaining wall but the government did not perform its part of the deal. Thus, paving and installing the projected lighting for the aqueduct cannot be done as it would be a waste of time and money unless the retaining wall is constructed. Residents of this street have inundated the local council and the Ministry of Urban Development responsible for the Malta Transport Authority with requests for the proper formation of this street.

Pot holes more than six inches deep are presently full of rain water, making it impossible for drivers to realise the danger, let alone the inconvenience for the residents due to mud. In this lower part of the street, there are 10 houses inhabited and it is not fair for the ADT not to form the street just because there are three unbuilt plots. You can hardly drive a few blocks on this island without seeing houses been pulled down and reconstructed again.

Finally, I cannot but ask what is the reason for restoring the aqueduct if not to preserve our natural heritage and embellish the area?

Peter Paul Rubens Street has been allowed to be turned into a rubbish dump. You name it, it's there, lying against the retaining wall of the private plots. I have contacted the local council to see to the proper clean-up of this street but it seems that they are already doing much to include our street in the daily collection of household waste as the street does not fall under their jurisdiction since it was never formed. They say that they have communicated with the ADT to see to the needs of this street but the result is nothing less than bureaucracy.

Are we living in 2005 or not? Will this island ever change its attitude towards its citizens? I can keep going on and on and invite other residents in this street to add their own opinions but what is really needed here is a decision to coordinate all service providers in one concerted effort to form this street. Only then can works on the restoration of the aqueduct resume so that one day someone can say that they have been completed.