Pinto Wharf quay wall to be restored

The Malta Environment and Planning Authority yesterday gave the green light for the excavation of a marina basin and the restoration of the historic quay wall at the cruise passenger terminal at Pinto Wharf, in Valletta.

The approved development proposal also consists of the excavation of a tunnel under Pinto Road, in preparation for a link between the land and quay sides of the cruise liner ferry terminal.

The quay wall stretches along 200 metres of the Pinto Stores waterfront. This was originally constructed in 1770 in the form of three flights of steps interrupted by slipways and ramps.

The remains of the quay wall will be exposed and integrated into the design of the marina basin.

The quay line will follow the original crescent shaped profile, which mirrors the alignment of Pinto Stores.

Re-routing of traffic along Pinto Road onto the quay will be necessary during a phase of the works that is expected to last 12 weeks.

Mepa also gave the go-ahead for the demolition of part of the former Golden Sands Hotel (known as the Cote D'Or) and the beach facilities.

The beach buildings, formerly used as part of the beach concession for the hotel, will be demolished together with the wall which effectively separates the concession from the public beach area.

The demolition is part of the redevelopment of the entire complex.