Valletta's Palace Square is to feature an installation of multi-coloured water jets as part of an embellishment project which gets under way on June 8.

"We will be giving the square back to the people, it has been taken over by cars for far too long," Resources Minister George Pullicino told a press conference today.

MEPA gave the go-ahead for the €1 million project last Thursday.

Mr Pullicino said that two historical aspects of the square were the way how the Knights had built a fountain there to celebrate the piping of water into Valletta, and how military parades were held there to mark milestones and anniversaries in Malta's history.

The new project would link those two historical characteristics by featuring a water installation which would, however, be flat, allowing the organisation of parades and other activities.

He said the square would be fully pedestrianised and paved, including the street between the square and the Palace.

Although the plans so far provided for the Sette Giugnio monument to be retained, Mr Pullicino said that since this monument was intrinsically linked to the history of Parliament, should the plans by Renzo Piano provide for the re-siting of Parliament, the monument would be moved to near the new seat of Parliament.

He said the water installation would feature 14 jets of water of different heights which would be lit during the night, for spectacular effect.

The project would also include new lighting fixtures which would double-up as wi-fi and new, easily removable, street furniture, such as benches

Referring to restaurants, Mr Pullicino said the government was considering the drawing up of standards which befitted the capital city, so that one could see the end of plastic chairs and advert-emblazoned sun shades which many restaurants currently displayed.

Talks are being held with the Malta Transport Authority on moving the shelter for the horse drawn cabs (karozzini) to another site.

Mr Pullicino said it was hoped that the new project would be completed by the end of November, in time for Christmas.

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