Logistical arrangements for road closures during the Valletta migrant summit are being revised and a number of roads will remain open – despite indications to the contrary announced last week.

In a statement the police said they had decided to keep open a number of routes over the course of the summit on Wednesday and Thursday, though Floriana and Valletta are expected to be largely sealed off for security reasons.

When contacted, Police Commissioner Michael Cassar said: “What we are going to do is allow motorists to access the roads unless they are being used to shuttle dignitaries. We will halt traffic and then resume it.”

He added that further details with more precise times of road closures would be announced on Tuesday.

We will allow motorists to access roads unless they are being used to shuttle dignitaries

The short pauses are likely to be frequent as more than 40 heads of government from the EU and African states arrive this week, along with UN dignitaries and representatives from other high profile organisations.

Hundreds of journalists are also expected to descend on the island to cover the summit.

The original notice of road closures had listed a number that were due to be completely off limits from midnight on Monday till 11am on Friday.

“The transit and stopping of vehicles in the roads mentioned is prohibited,” the notice read, adding that the roads would all be considered tow zones and parking in these areas would be illegal.

Mr Cassar yesterday said the roads would still be considered tow zones.

An spokesman for Malta International Airport yesterday said the roads leading to the airport would only be blocked off by police during the arrival and departure of the dignitaries.

It urged passengers to plan ahead and arrive at the airport in good time for their flights.