As Renzo Piano’s controversial project takes shape, with the open-air theatre and the majestic steps on each side of the entrance, already in use, a question mark hangs over the entrance’s future. Will the government have the courage to clean up its approach, freeing it of the horrible stalls and rundown kiosks that still disgrace it and remove the bus terminus to a more suitable location?
Some time before the general election, the former government had a plan to pedestrianise the approach, push back the Tritons Fountain to a new place in the area and embellish the whole environment, making it more people-friendly and giving it a new look. People were generally against the removal of the fountain from its place but were in favour of upgrading the environment.
The plan had formed part of a long-awaited reform in public transport. But the project was ditched as, for one reason after another, the administration felt constrained to shelve it.
The much-maligned foreign bus operator, Arriva, has now gone, the bus terminus has not been moved elsewhere, the fountain has remained in its place and so have the stalls. The only difference is that the chaos around the fountain at peak bus arrival times has got much worse, posing posing a danger to commuters, especially the elderly. This is no exaggeration as those who have to pass by the fountain to cross to the other side know only too well.
Meanwhile, it is not yet known if the ditch will be turned into a public garden or car park. A public area would be nice, while, on the other hand, more parking spaces would be useful.
What particularly jars, however, is the government’s plan to move the open-air market in Merchants Street, Valletta, to Ordnance Street, just opposite the opera house building. This will be an illogical, ill-conceived move, one that, rather than improving the ambience of the place, will give it a Third World flavour. The move will be as bad as the removal of the original covered vegetable and meat/fish market in lower Merchants Street to Floriana in the time of the socialist administration of Dom Mintoff.
The government really ought to think again before moving the Monti to Ordnance Street.
The city entrance and its environs should be kept completely free of any street encumbrances, let alone stalls and hawkers. The space there is far too restricted to allow for the erection of stalls of any shape or form, or boards or anything that obstruct the free flow of people in the area.
The restoration of buildings that has been going on is admirable as is the upgrading of St George’s Square and of the Upper Barrakka Gardens. The creation of the de Valette Square has given a new, dignified look to the area. After years of decay, these and other works have already given Valletta a strong re-awakening injection. However, there is much that has yet to be done to further upgrade the face of il-Belt, as the capital city is popularly called by the people.
Auberge de Castille is now looking magnificent after restoration but so many other buildings cry out for a clean-up. Many need to be cleaned up of the dirt, hooks, nails and other things that mar their appearance. Palazzo Ferreria ought to be next in line in the list of public buildings set for restoration. Or should preference be given to Auberge d’Italie?