09/04/2010

Work on the second phase of the €2 million Marsaxlokk promenade is to start in the coming days..

The Ministry for Resources & Rural Affairs said in a statement that the first phase, which saw the expansion and repaving of the pavement on the side of the buildings, was completed last year. The second phase will see the embellishment of the promenade on the side of the sea.

MRRA said that discussions were held with all concerned, including the local council, monti hawkers and the GRTU.

Conflicting views were openly expressed during the meetings but government made it clear from the onset that while it was determined to continue with the project, it was not willing to embellish the promenade, with a cost for the taxpayer, for this to be damaged if it continued to be used for monti as at present.

The ministry thanked all stakeholders in the talks and said it appreciated the fact that everyone understood the importance of the work.

It said it believed that in the interest of all, the monti should continue to be set up in the same place as the present, in two long rows along the promenade but once the work was concluded vans would not be allowed behind the stalls.

These could be left at the parking space under the pavement so that they would not be far away from the hawkers.

Until the works are concluded and the road asphalted, the market would move to the area known as tal-Maghluq.