Plans for glossy NYE countdown

A larger deployment of traffic wardens and a wider variety of entertainment are some of the ingredients the organisers of the Valletta and Floriana New Year’s Eve parties sprinkled in to avoid last year’s chaotic encore.

Transport chaos and disorganisation put a damper on last year’s celebrations for thousands who flocked to the adjacent localities that hold separate events.

This year, more emphasis was made on traffic management, including the provision of a bus service till the early hours on Sunday.

Floriana mayor Nigel Holland said the council had forked out money to double the number of traffic wardens to facilitate traffic management.

The notorious closure of the main artery – St Anne Street – will this year be more flexible. Two lanes, one from and the other to Valletta, will remain open until 12.30 p.m. today

This is the third consecutive year Floriana is celebrating the start of the New Year in St Anne Street.

Asked why the celebrations were not held on the Granaries, to avoid closing St Anne Street, Mr Holland said the Granaries were more exposed to weather elements and even a summer concert given by tenor Joseph Calleja had once been rescheduled because of strong winds.

The archways in St Anne Street can shelter people from possible downpours and the atmosphere along the road is better than that at the Granaries.

Traffic management remains the main headache for those who wish to usher the New Year with their friends in Valletta or Floriana.

New signs would be put up just outside the city to direct traffic, Valletta mayor Alexiei Dingli said.

Last year, the New Year countdown was festive and cheerful in St George’s Square, Valletta, but those who failed to make it through the crowds were disappointed with the lack of entertainment outside the square.

Dr Dingli said the organisers had not expected such a large turnout and this year entertainment would be spread out across the city.

Arriva will also be chipping in to avoid a repeat of last year’s chaos when crowds started making their way to the terminus at about 1 a.m. only to find no buses there.

This year, however, Arriva will be providing a limited service through 11 routes until 2 a.m. for €2.50.

Traffic arrangements

St Anne Street in Floriana will be closed for traffic from 12.30 p.m. today. Tonight, drivers can access Valletta via Sa Maison if they are heading to the capital from the north of the island and through Sarria Street if they are driving in from the south.

To make their way home, people can exit through Sa Maison and Kapuċċini Street in Floriana. Xatt l-Għassara ta’ l-Għeneb will only be open to drivers headed to Marsa.

Police officers will be directing traffic throughout the night.

Buses will be exiting the Valletta bus terminus from the War Memorial roundabout junction and proceed through Kapuċċini Street, which will be open to route buses only after 11 p.m.

No parking will be permitted along the road throughout the day. Any parked vehicles will be towed.

Tickets for Arriva’s New Year’s Eve special service from Valletta will be on sale all day today and can be bought for €2.50 from Arriva’s ticket booths in Valletta, Buġibba and the Malta International Airport. Only a limited number of tickets will be avail­-able tonight, so commuters are urged to buy their tickets before entering Valletta.