Valletta pedestrianisation zone being extended

South Street and St John Street in Valletta will become pedestrian zones from next Monday, Transport Minister Austin Gatt announced this afternoon.

Traffic will be banned from those streets in an effort to make them more attractive to pedestrians.

Dr Gatt made the announcement with Vince Farrugia, director-general of the GRTU, with whom talks have been held, including the hours during which delivery vans would be able to enter to supply the shops.

The pedestrian zones will stretch from Merchants’ Street to Old Bakery Street. The top areas of Republic Street and Merchants’ Street are already traffic-free.

Dr Gatt said that afternoon shop opening hours were also being extended.

He looked forward to the day when the shop delivery vans woild be electrically operated, to avoid oil spillage on the road surfaces.