The Grand Harbour plan (2)

The government's announced plans for the regeneration of the Grand Harbour area are ambitious indeed, and require heavy investment and dedicated commitment for their realisation.

These plans make reference to the need for the continued inclusion of the restoration works on the bastions, which provide a much admired backdrop to the Grand Harbour area and, quite often, constitute a stunning and lasting impression on visitors, particularly cruise liner passengers entering and leaving the Grand Harbour.

However, is there scope for the inclusion of the restoration of the breakwater bridge within the overall ambitious vision for Malta's magnificent sea gateway?

The lower section of Valletta, the seaward side of the historic Fort St Elmo, could become another promenade leading to the resconstructed bridge and on to the breakwater arm itself. The magnificent vistas which such a possibility opens up with all its touristic implications cannot be allowed to remain a dream.

Probably few people know that when the former Barrakka lift was dismantled in 1983 it had been intended to use the salvaged steel for the reconstruction of the breakwater bridge across the Grand Harbour. Unfortunately this plan did not materialise. Perhaps the bridge, destroyed by enemy action during World War II, could be given another chance?