Traffic arrangements for Queen's state visit, CHOGM

As expected there are to be traffic deviations and restrictions on parking during certain times in Valletta and various other venues because of the state visit by Queen Elizabeth II and the Commonwealth summit (CHOGM), but the police have ensured there will be the least possible inconvenience to the public, Police Commissioner John Rizzo said yesterday.

Though the closure of streets will be temporary, Mr Rizzo appealed to drivers to follow police instructions, avoid sensitive areas and to use public transport.

Addressing the media at the Police Headquarters in Floriana, Mr Rizzo said that as from yesterday afternoon, Golden Sands Hotel, which will be hosting virtually all of the visiting heads of government, had been taken over by the government with the police assuming responsibility for security.

Plainclothes policemen had been working on security preparations at the hotel and strict security measures were in force as from yesterday. Strict searches will be carried out on anyone approaching and entering the hotel.

The area surrounding the hotel has been turned into a security zone and is out of bounds to everyone, including hunters, while the police are using the Hal Ferh complex close to the hotel where around 400 officers will be accommodated throughout the duration of CHOGM.

The Commissioner referred in particular to the state visit by Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh between tomorrow and Saturday and to the planned demonstration by the General Workers' Union on Thursday evening in Valletta when the Queen will be hosting a reception at the Le Meridien Phoenicia just outside the capital city.

The demonstration was a democratic right of the union and therefore a permit had been granted. The police had to see to the necessary arrangements to handle the two commitments, he said.

The Le Meridien Phoenicia will be cordoned off during the reception and demonstration. Arrangements had been made so that those attending the demonstration would park their cars on the Grand Harbour side of Floriana.

The open-air market will not operate on Friday when the official opening of CHOGM will take place. However hawkers will be allowed to sell their wares for the extra hours later on to compensate for the missed time on Friday.

Police offices will not open on Friday but police stations will be open as usual.

There will be traffic restrictions in Gozo on Friday when the Duke of Edinburgh will pay a visit to the sister island. Restrictions will apply mainly to the main street leading from Mgarr to Victoria and the centre of Victoria.

The following streets and zones will be classified as "towing" zones where stopping and parking will be prohibited during the indicated times:

From tomorrow to Saturday between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. in Balzan in Lord Strickland and Sant'Antnin streets, Professur Guze Aquilina Explanade, De Paule Avenue and the parking lot in Birkirkara Street, corner with Lord Strickland Street.

Mgarr in Ghajn Tuffieha Street, from San Pawl il-Bahar Street to Ghajn Tuffieha Street and streets in the limits of Hal Ferh complex.

Dragonara Street in St Julians.

Tomorrow from noon to midnight:

Valletta, in St George's Square, Freedom Square, Archbishop Street between Bakery Street and Merchants Street.

Floriana in Lord Nelson Street and the area around the War Memorial.

From Thursday to Saturday between 9 p.m. and midnight:

Valletta, in l-Assedju l-Kbir, Marsamxett, San Bastjan, l-Ixprun and il-Mediterran streets and it-Tramuntana Street between Merchants Street and il-Mediterran Street, L-Isptar Street between Merchants Street and Sant'Ursola Street, Sant'Ursola Street between San Nikola Street and l-Ibjar Street, l-Ibjar Street, San Nikola Street between Sant'Ursola Street and il-Mediterran Street, il-Mediterran Street between San Kristofru Street and San Nikola Street and St Paul, Merchants and il-Lvant streets and Barrieri Wharf.

Floriana at Il-Mall, Re Dwardu Street, Barrieri Wharf, Lascaris Wharf and Crucifix Hill.

Thursday from 8 a.m. till midnight:

Valletta in Castille Square and Pinto Wharf.

Floriana in il-Mall and Ir-Re Dwardu streets.

Cospicua in il-Kottoner, il-Gublew tal-Fidda, it-8 ta' Dicembru and San Lawrenz streets and Xatt ir-Risq.

Friday from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. :

Valletta in Barrieri Wharf, il-Mediterran Street, Tramuntana Street between Merchants Street and il-Mediterran Street, l-Isptar Street between Merchants Street and Sant'Ursola Street, Sant'Ursola Street between San Nikola Street and l-Ibjar Street, l-Ibjar Street, San Nikola Street between Sant' Ursola Street and il-Mediterran Street, and il-Mediterran Street between San Kristofru Street and San Nikola Street.

Floriana in Barrieri Wharf, Lascaris Wharf and Crucifix Hill.