A section of Tritons Square has been closed off to the public and the iconic fountain partially obstructed by large advertising structures that were set up as part of a fashion event in the Valletta 2018 cultural calendar.

Scheduled for Saturday evening, the Malta Fashion Awards will be held in the public open space with the recently restored Tritons Fountain serving as a backdrop to a catwalk protruding over circular stairs.

However, since Thursday morning the bus alighting area near Christ the King monument has been reduced to a narrow pathway, as the adjacent pavement was placed out of bounds with unsightly metal barriers.

Commuters who spoke with this newspaper questioned the reason why such restrictions were imposed three days in advance.

“It seems like the authorities are treating Tritons Square not as an open public space but as a money-making area,” one irked bus commuter said.

Authorities are treating Tritons Square as a money-making area

Criticism was also levelled against a set of five advertising blocks about three metres high, which have been placed in circular fashion just before City Gate bridge.

Many queried the idea behind the blocks as well as the decision to place them in front of the fountain that is the main attraction of the site.

Contacted by the Times of Malta, a spokeswoman for the Malta Fashion Awards said that use of the venue had been authorised by the Grand Harbour Regeneration Corporation. Furthermore, she said, no objection had been made by the Valletta and Floriana councils.

The organisers also noted that meetings were held with the police, the bus operator and architects from the Transport Ministry who are responsible for the fountain.

Consultation was also made with the Italian company tasked with the fountain’s operation to ensure that there would be no disruptions during the event, the spokeswoman said.

As for the restricted pedestrian access near Phoenicia Hotel, the organisers insisted it had not been completely closed, except for a small area that remained out of bounds for public safety.

They said that most of the work was done at night to minimise disruption. Asked about the temporary structures, the spokeswoman insisted that their objective was to promote Malta’s heritage.

“We have taken all measures possible to ensure that the beauty of the place will be enhanced rather than impaired negatively,” the organisers said.

They acknowledged that there might be instances during the setting up of the venue when the site might be “somewhat aesthetically impaired”.

For this reason, measures were taken to ensure such works were carried out as quickly as possible, the organisers said.

Part of the square cordoned with unsightly metal barriers.