As a regular visitor to Valletta (three times a year) I am also interested in the Renzo Piano project and the new St George Square. In mid-July I visited the National Museum of Archaeology to see the plans and models of the Piano project. My feeling about the project is different.

I like the idea of using the ruins of the Royal Opera House as an open-air theatre, even Mr Piano's conception with the plain steel pillars and the "sails". It can serve as a proper stage for several events as well as remain an impressive war memorial.

As for the projected new Parliament building, I want to ask if it's really necessary to spend a fortune for a building destroying the baroque character of Valletta when there are more than enough wonderful old houses that would be more representative for the government.

I am just thinking about the buildings opposite the Grand Masters Palace, housing the embassy of Italy. Isn't it possible to find a new, nice place for the Italians and create a Forum Maltin around the newly featured St George's Square including the Palace and Parliament? Let's stay at St George's Square. It's good that this important place gets a new and nice face. The indirect lights from the ground will be fantastic (as we can see in Mdina in front of the Cathedral) but, to be honest, the big standing lights I saw on the pictures around the construction area are nothing else but ugly. To use water jets as fountains on the square is enjoyable - but there is a historic fountain which was originally placed here and which can be found in Argotti Gardens in Floriana. Think about bringing it it back to its original place.

Now back to City Gate and the Piano project. First of all I want to point out that everything will be better than the present entrance to Valletta, but the removal of the present City Gate will cause a problem.

What about the road crossing the gate? What about the daily traffic? What about ambulances or fire engines that have to reach the Marsamxett-side of Valletta quickly?

Entering Valletta through City Gate these days we can see big advertisement screens telling us that about 50,000 people are passing through the gate every day. Thinking about the Piano project I am afraid this will cause a big "traffic jam" of people walking in and out of Valletta on the projected new, narrow bridge leading from/to the bus terminus. Am I right that one of the reasons for pulling down the historic City Gate in 1963 was that it was too small to handle the daily traffic?

The idea of a green ditch with restaurants instead of the awful Yellow Garage and the strange smell coming up from this place is really charming.

But is Mr Piano such an optimist thinking that his green ditch would remain nice and clean and would not be used as a litter bin from people on the bridge, like it is today?

I hope the project also includes a new pavement around Auberge de Castille and along Our Lady of Victory church. The present one is extremely slippery and dangerous, especially when it's wet.

I would not like to be misunderstood. As a foreigner I have no right to criticise anything in this wonderful country. But I love Malta and Valletta so much - for me it's like a second home - that I feel committed to write my doubts about the Piano project.