The former administration spent a fifth of its outlay on the Cottonera project just on architectural services, Transport and Infrastructure Minister Joe Mizzi said this morning.

He said the former government had spent €5m on the project to rehabilitate the Cottonera seafront. Of this, €1.1 million were spent on architectural services.

He said the project had overrun budget by €1 million.

Under the present government, he said, more work had been done in six months than in the previous six years.

Giving an overview of the project on site this morning, he said that 80 per cent of the promenade from Vittoriosa to Senglea has been completed. 

New project architect David Vassallo said the current focus is on the resurfacing of Gavino Gulia Square. Weather permitting, the works should be completed in the first week of December, well in time for the Cospicua feast.

Landscaping on the promenade is also well under way and turf will also be laid.