The movement of the Triton Fountain from outside City Gate to the garden in front of the Phoenicia Hotel is unnecessary and does not make sense, Floriana mayor Nigel Holland said this morning.

Addressing a news conference, Mr Holland said that not only had the council not been consulted about the move, it had learnt about it from the media.

Musical chairs was being played with the country's monuments, possibly damaging the structures.

The Floriana council, he said, wanted the fountain restored but it should be left at its current site. He asked whose idea it was for the fountain to be moved.

Mr Holland said that the council had been approached by a number of people, including non-Floriana residents, who asked it to take action against the move.

The council will be discussing the issue during its next meeting, he said, and will move proposals for national action to be taken.

He noted, that the move will destroy the artistic line which was created by the Triton, Christ the King and the Independence monuments.

Mr Holland called on the Planning Authority to shoulder its responsibilities even when it came to government projects. He said he also expect non-governmental organisations to speak up about this issue.

The mayor said it would be better if the government found a solution to the eyesore which had been created by the MCP car park.