The North-bound Sta Venera tunnel has been closed while government workers work on a section of the roof from where a significant amount of water have been seeping for months.

However, a spokesman for the Environment Upgrade Committee of the Office of the Prime Minister said the source of the water had not been found yet, although it had been established that the liquid was not sewage.

He said that architects had recommended that, at least temporarily, the water should be channelled so as not to flow into the road.

The spokesman said the investigations into the source of the water were made difficult by the presence of buildings which prevented digging of the area above the tunnel.

The spokesman also stressed that this repair work had nothing to do with the Papal visit since the Pope would not be driven along this route.