The organisers of two festivals being held in Valletta this weekend are urging patrons to use alternative routes to Regional Road, which will be partially closed for fireworks to be let off at the Msida feast.

Since the Malta Jazz Festival is always scheduled for the third weekend of July, it often coincides with the Msida feast, but this has not affected its popularity, a spokeswoman for the Arts Council Malta said yesterday.

She said traffic management arrangements had been made and traffic flow will be addressed through having a number of alternative routes.

On Wednesday this newspaper reported that the arterial road linking the St Venera bypass to the Tal-Qroqq tunnels will be closed while the Msida centre will be restricted due to the feast of St Joseph.

Transport Malta yesterday said the road – up to the roundabout of Triq Psaila in Santa Venera – will be closed tomorrow from 9.30pm to 11pm and on Sunday from 7pm to 7.45pm, and again from 9.45pm to 10.15pm. Those coming from St Andrew’s will be diverted on to the Birkirkara bypass and those coming from the Santa Venera tunnels will be diverted on to Triq Psaila.

The permit granted last year to close off part of the road fuelled controversy as it had not been issued following the opening of Mater Dei Hospital, on grounds that it would hinder access to ambulances.

Yesterday a spokeswoman said the health authorities were holding discussions with the police about alternative routes for ambulances.

Meanwhile, the transport authority also noted that because of the Joseph Calleja concert, which will be held tonight at The Granaries, Triq Sarria in Floriana will be closed until midnight tomorrow. Traffic will be diverted through Triq Vincenzo Bugeja and through Triq Sant’ Anna.

However, thousands are expected to attend the three-night Jazz Festival which kicked off yesterday, and the Marsovin Summer Wine Festival in Valletta that will be held between tonight and Sunday.

Marsovin CEO Jeremy Cassar said access to the Summer Wine Festival had never been an issue even when there were other events.

He encouraged people to use alternative routes and opt for public transport for their own safety, so they would not drive under the influence.

The Arts Council spokeswoman said arrangements had also been made for a shuttle service from the Park and Ride to Ta’ Liesse in Valletta, to make it easier for patrons to get to the Jazz Festival.