Dock 1 works to be completed by April

Works on the regeneration of the Dock 1 area of Cospicua are expected to be completed by April next year.

Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and Infrastructure Minister Austin Gatt inspected the works this morning. 

The area, which extends from Vittoriosa towards Cospicua and on to Senglea will be completely accessible to the public. 

The project is expected to cost €6.5 million, 85 per cent of which are being funded by the EU.

At the same time, government is investing around another €4 million in improvement works in Housing Estates at Cospicua.

Dr Gonzi said this was another project in the south that showed the government's commitment to improve the standard of living in the area.

An area used industrially in the past was being was being revamped and given back to the public.

Dock 1 will be accessible and pedestrian priority will be given at the squares in front of St George's Band Club and Gavino Gulia through a number of traffic calming measures.

No decision has been taken yet on the use of the stores at Dock 1 but they will also be rehabilitated.

A covered walkway will be constructed near the Cospicua regatta club to create a promenade overlooking the coast.

Grass banks will also be developed, creating another waterfront.

The main components of the project consist of:

• Redesigning common public areas to convert this unused industrial site into a high quality recreational and leisure space for all the family.

• Improved access to the dock. From the Vittoriosa side the car park will be redesigned to give priority to pedestrians. The wall along the Cospicua side will be removed and residents will have complete access to the promenade. Part of the wall between the British and Knights buildings, will also be removed to give residents in this part of Cospicua direct access.

• Redesign of hard and soft landscaping works. The project seeks to provide quality urban space for its inhabitants and visitors.

• Infrastructural systems and services have been diverted to the road above Xatt ir-Risq while other services have been redirected through service ducts.

• Connecting Vittoriosa Waterfront to Senglea side through Cospicua – creating a pedestrian connection from St Angelo to Boiler Wharf. Once ready, there will be a continuous link along the Three Cities.