Vittoriosa waterfront to get new paving

A Lm400,000 embellishment project underway at the Vittoriosa waterfront is envisaged to start drawing crowds in the same way as the Valletta Waterfront across Grand Harbour.

Inspecting paving works between the Admiralty Gate and Fort St Angelo, in Vittoriosa, yesterday, Urban Development and Roads Ministry Jesmond Mugliett said the project would complement the restoration of historical buildings undertaken by private consortia in the past years.

Besides paving works, the embellishment consists of tree planting and the rehabilitation of an existing storm water system.

Granite slabs have already started being laid around the menqa - the sea inlet behind Fort St Angelo - and in front of the Old Treasury next to the Maritime Museum. Paving works are expected to be completed by July. Soon after, five restaurants and cafeterias are expected to open.

Vehicle access to the quay would be controlled and no parking would be allowed expect for commercial vehicles servicing outlets on the waterfront. The road will have a tarmac surface until the hotel next to the Casino di Venezia is built, Mr Mugliett said, adding that once that project is completed, the road will be paved with granite like the rest of the promenade.

The minister said the paving project would unite all the projects and provide a pedestrian promenade alongside the yacht marina.

In the last budget, the government allocated Lm170,000 towards the project. Four consortia, namely the Cottonera Waterfront Group, Port Cottonera, the Casino di Venezia and the Grand Harbour Marina, are also contributing to the embellishment project.