Valletta's stint as European Capital of Culture will cost some €130 million, Parliamentary Secretary Jose Herrera said this evening.

Addressing a public consultation, Dr Herrera said the estimate of €48 million given in reply to a parliamentary question yesterday did not include large infrastructural projects.

Dr Herrera said a large part of the V18 legacy would be tied to large infrastructural refurbishment.

Among the projects highlighted by the parliamentary secretary were the rehabilitation of the old power house which will cost some €20 million, the regeneration of Strait Street, the indoor market at Merchants Street and the St Elmo lighthouse.

Other projects included the restoration of several archives which Dr Herrera described as in a state of disarray. One such project would see the restoration of hundreds of documents dating back to the 1500s. This, he said, would cost some €6million.

In the coming months, Dr Herrera said he would have a better idea of how much money would be spent on such projects, once a number of EU funds were finalized.

TOURISM POLICE

Earlier, Tourism Minister Karmenu Vella said the new  tourism police unit would be operational by this summer.

Mr Vella said the members of the new unit would be given high visibility jackets and would start operating in St Julian's and Bugibba in the peak summer months.

The unit was announced by Home Affairs Minister Manuel Mallia during a similar consultation earlier this week.

Mr Vella said that he preferred the term 'tourism wardens' as these personnel would be trained in assisting tourists and ensuring order in areas frequented by large groups of tourists.