It consisted of a single pole in the middle of the street, serving both ways. Traffic in Rue d’Argent was then still in both directions. This was in late 1965 or early 1966.

I lived in Sliema, my dear, as you well know. In those days there was no rational reason to go anywhere else, other than Valletta, because the rest of Malta simply did not exist unless you actually lived in it.

Pretending to be younger than you are? Or didn’t you get out much as a six year old?

Do it on a sliding scale, so that slow walkers (the elderly, the infirm, pram-pushing nannies and meandering little ankle-biters) pay significantly more than, say joggers.

Henry, actually Dr Sandy Cachia Zammit inaugurated them. I know, because together with my friends, we crossed “for the first time” next to the Minister. We were so proud to be the first kids to use a traffic lights in traffic full Msida.

And just like today, you have to supply your own pedals on newly purchased high-end bicycles.

The first Traffic Lights were introduced in Malta in early 1971.

These were set up at Msida at the bottom of Rue D’Argens by the police station.

These were inaugurated by the late Dr Carmel Caruana then the Minister of Works.

But as soon as Dom Mintoff became prime minister in June 1971, he did away with them.