The streets of the capital have to be rid of all heavy machinery by the end of the month as the city gears up to assume the role of European Capital of Culture in January, with developers given a fortnight to remove all equipment.

This also includes the removal of all tower cranes on construction sites, including those at the MCP car park in Floriana, this newspaper is informed.

According to a spokeswoman for the Valletta 2018 Foundation, developers are “aware” that they must remove this equipment by mid-December.

“All heavy machinery and tower cranes obstructing main streets or side streets need to be removed by December 15,” the spokeswoman told this paper.

Capital of Culture opening ceremony is taking place on January 20

The Capital of Culture opening ceremony is taking place on January 20, with international performances and street entertainment planned for the day and throughout the rest of the year.

Every year, two European cities are given the title that they hold for a year. The initiative is designed to showcase a country’s cultural features while also helping citizens become more engaged in their own community.

In recent years, the city has seen a boom in construction work as part of efforts to have the capital ready to assume the title, with major projects including the regeneration of the Suq tal-Belt and the Triton Square as well as other areas nearby, including the MCP car park.

Asked what the repercussion of not removing the heavy machinery on time will be, the spokeswoman said that the Foundation cannot issue fines to those not following the instructions but added that “other entities may do so”.

No details on the measures or type of action that would be taken were supplied to this newspaper.