Demolition of the Valletta police station started yesterday in preparation for the building of backstage facilities for the open-air theatre designed by world famous architect Renzo Piano.

Demolition work is expected to be completed within three weeks when the former Bank of Valletta building will be demolished. Once this work is done, excavation works will start in South and Victory streets. These are expected to continue throughout the year to be completed by January. Work on the backstage facilities are expected to start next year.

Restoration works on the opera house ruins were ready and works on the foundations of the stand’s structure and the perimeter columns would start soon, the Infrastructure Ministry said.

Mr Piano’s studio was working on the designs for these works, which were listed as “reserved matters” in the original planning authority permit, the ministry added.

Works on the substructure of the new Parliament building was at an advanced stage and should be completed by the end of next month, it said.

“The superstructure contractor will start mobilisation onsite in mid-July and the first steel structures are due to arrive on site by the end of the month. The contractor is also expected to start the construction of the staircase core of the main Parliament building towards the end of July,” the ministry said.

Works on St James Ditch were also at an advanced stage and work was now about to start on the side of St John’s Ditch.