Valletta local council this afternoon defended its organisation of the New Year's Eve Party and said that no permit should have been granted for the closure of St Anne Street to traffic on the day, citing it as one of the reasons for the transport problems which people encountered after the event.

Floriana local council had alternative venues in the locality and given that another event was being held in Valletta the main artery into the city should not have been closed, the council said at a press conference presided by the mayor, Alexei Dingli.

Dr Dingli said they had approached Floriana council to collaborate but they refused. Collaboration in such events was the way forward, he said.

Barring the transport issues, the council said the Valletta New Year's Eve party was considered to be a success and would become an annual event.

It showed that such celebrations had big potential and were wanted by the people.

It was estimated that between 35,000 and 40,000 people made their way to Valletta, way more than expected.

The plan for the future was to spread activities beyond St George's Square to avoid congestion, Dr Dingli said.

The transport problems, the mayor said, were caused by three issues - the mass exodus of people at the same time, the closure of roads into Valletta and because public transport did not work with the full complement that night.

Dr Dingli said restaurants reported very good business - some even better than Notte Bianca, and those who decided not to open regretted their decision.

He hoped that the business community would support the council more in next year's event.