Fourteen streets in the heart of Valletta will get a needed facelift under a multi-million euro project that should be completed by the end of the year.

The streets will be subjected to a thorough overhaul, which will see the original paving, in some cases covered with tarmac over the years, brought back to life. Where this is not possible, the restorers will be going for material that is similar to the original.

The old water and electricity systems running beneath the streets will be replaced as part of the works and the streets will be barred to traffic; electrically-operated bollards that could still allow some vehicles to go through would be installed.

Eventually, bollards will also replace the pavements in those streets that are not pedestrianised, forming a protective barrier alongside a pedestrian lane. The reason is that vehicles are damaging the pavements by either driving over or stopping on them.

The works, coordinated by the Resources Ministry and the Transport Ministry, will be suspended during the summer months in order not to inconvenience tourists and disrupt the business. Works have already started in Triq San Kristofru and Ir-Repubblika and will continue in Id-Dejqa, Melita, Il-Karrijiet, San Ġwann, Nofsinhar, It-Teatru l-Antik, Santa Luċija, Il-Merkanti, San Federiku, It-Teżorerija, L-Arċisqof and Feliċ streets.

In a letter that appeared in The Times recently, former Valletta Rehabilitation Project chairman Ray Bondin complained that the only hard stone paving found in part of Triq Kristofru was removed without being numbered for replacement.

Serving chairman Marielouise Musumeci replied, saying the paving, most of which was already dislodged, was in a bad state.

Moreover, she said the pavement there was added recently and did not comply with the ongoing project.

The Valletta local council is commissioning works in other parts of the city. Mayor Alexei Dingli said several alleys that were not included in the project were also being pedestrianised.

Planning authority officials would today inspect lava paving found by the council at the lower part of Republic Street.

Mr Dingli said the paving was discovered by workmen beneath parts of the pavement, including steps leading to establishments there, which were probably built over the original paving.