City Gate will start to be dismantled on May 2, when the new permanent traffic route for Valletta will start to be used.

Addressing a news conference this morning, Transport Malta's David Sutton said that once City Gate is demolished, Pope Pius V Road, one of the main entry points into Valletta will cease to exist.

This road is used by about 600 cars between 8.15 and 9.15 a.m. daily.

All this traffic will be rerouted and the main entry points will become St Paul's and St Mark's streets.

While the traffic direction of most roads within the capital will remain the same, some changes will be made to facilitate movement within the city.

The direction of the traffic flow along Archbishop's Street will change and Triq il-Lanca will become one way.

Traffic from the area near Hastings, which accommodates several residences and offices, will go through St Mark's Street, down a short part of Old Bakery, cross through St John Street, up Strait Street cutting cut across through Melita Street to reach the Biaggo area.

Mr Sutton said the routes were decided after various scenarios were studied and environmental considerations were taken into account.

Servicing vehicles will use the same route as the Park and Ride van.

Between May 2 and 16, due to the City Gate works, pedestrians entering Valletta will be rerouted.

Pedestrians would be able to access Capital through Nelson Avenue and St James' Ditch. This pathway will be open between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m. with a shuttle bus service for people with mobility problems.

Police and Transport Malta officials will be directing traffic as the permanent changes kick in on May 2.