Castille Place will be turned into a pedestrian area in the coming months - the roundabout will be removed and the roads leading into Valletta and the Central Bank area realigned. Works will be completed by October, a month before Malta hosts the biannual meeting of the Commonwealth Heads of State (CHOGM).

Details about the project were announced this morning by Principal Permanent Secretary Mario Cutajar and Stefan Zrinzo Azzopardi, the Chairman of the Grand Harbour Regeneration Committee.

Mr Cutajar said the €1.6 million project will see the area turned into an open space, exposing the beauty of the Auberge de Castille. A number of trees will be carefully uprooted and moved to other parts of the square.

The monument of Manuel Dimech will be relocated and there are also plans for statues of Malta's former Prime Ministers to be set up in the same square. No decision has been taken yet. "The story of Valletta does not end in 2018 and we have to keep identifying projects to regenerate the city," Mr Cutajar said.

Dr Zrinzo Azzopari said the MEPA plans have already been approved and the GHRC is working hard with Tranport Malta on traffic management issues. Traffic access to St Paul Street and the car park near the Central Bank will be retained by the roads will be realigned by means of fixed bollards.

There will also be a smaller turning point near the Central Bank allowing motorists to disembark passengers without having to drive into the capital. Works will be carried out in phases.