Work on the controversial shelters for the Mnajdra and Ħaġar Qim temples is on schedule with that of Mnajdra expected to be completed by the first week of April.

Senior curator of the prehistoric sites Reuben Grima told timesofmalta.com that a combination of sun, wind, rain and temperature changes was eroding the temples at an alarming rate.

The shelters would mitigate the effect of the elements but consolidation work on them would continue.

Dr Grima said that the 18 panels forming the Mnajdra shelter would be up by the first week of April and efforts would then be focused on Ħaġar Qim.

Work on the structures started last summer with the steel supporting arches at both sites being in place before Christmas.

Strong winds during the installation process led to two panels being torn, one in January, the other earlier this month. However, the panels which were fully installed and tautened were unscathed by the winds, which reached 103 kilometres per hour.

Dr Grima said that these two panels were being replaced at the contractor’s expense, the replacements were already on site and were to be installed soon.

The project should be complete by the end of May.

At a cost of €4.2 million, the shelters are being funded through the European Regional Development Fund.