As from Sunday, vehicles entering Valletta from St Mark Street will have the option of turning right towards Hastings or left towards the lower part of Valletta.

Unlike the current situation, traffic descending from St Mark Street will be able to turn right, down Old Bakery Street and into South Street.

One will still be able to access the lower parts of Valletta by turning left once out of St Mark Street and into Old Bakery Street.

Valletta mayor Alexiei Dingli said that the changes will give residents and users better access while shortening the route from St Mark Street to South Street.

“As things currently stand, there is only one, 800-metre route to get from St Mark Street to South Street. If there is some sort of blockage, it would clog up the area.

“With the new traffic directions, that route is shortened to 200 metres,” he said.

From Hastings, traffic could exit down Old Mint Street, Dr Dingli explained.

He said that part of the road was very steep so it would be closed to heavy vehicles.

These would be able to instead pass from South Street, down St Andrew’s Street and Melita Street.

The local council is hoping to open Ordnance Street (from St Paul Street) once the new Parliament building is complete.