Government promises all necessary studies on underground passages

The Resources Ministry is commited to hold all necessary studies to evaluate the importance of the discovery of passages under St George’s Square in Valletta.

Minister George Pullicino said during a visit this afternoon that the discovery was made by workers as part of studies linked to the pedestrianisation of the square and the building of a one-storey underground car park.

He said that the government had publicly declared it wanted to ensure that whatever was underneath the square was evaluated before excavation works were embarked upon.

This had to be done even because site plans and archived information gave no indication of what there could be.

Mr Pullicino said that the studies being held included non-invasive testing which consisted of radar screening.

The study also included slightly invasive testing which involved the coring of five four-inch diametre holes.

Invasive testing, which involved the digging of trenches around five metres wide, three metres wide and two metres deep, were also held.

All studies are being held under the supervision of the Malta Environment and Planning Authority and the Superintendance of Cultural Heritage.

The minister referred to a meeting with the non government environmental organisation Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar last Saturday during which it was pointed out that a passage which was about 50 feet long could lead from Archbishop Street to the centre of the square.

He said it was immediately decided to remove the blockage at the end of the passage and hold the necessary studies which led to the discovery of the passages on Tuesday. These were now being investigated in greater detail.

The government was to ensure that these studies were done well and if it was found that this was a discovery of major historical heritage, it would abandon the car park project and focus on the embellishment of the square, aimed at improving Valletta’s environment and complementing the facade of the Palace.