Workmen are now laying down marble and stone paving from Admiralty Gate through to the Menqa in Vittoriosa.

Urban Development and Roads Minister Jesmond Mugliett, who was on site yesterday, said that once the project is complete and the lease holders move in, Vittoriosa Waterfront will become a unique commercial area in Cottonera.

In fact, his words were echoed by mayor John Boxall, who was also present. Mr Boxall said that Vittoriosa was very limited when it came to nightlife and recreational areas – as is most of Cottonera. “In the past, people just used to walk in this dilapidated area, but now they will have access to shops, restaurants and bars,” he said.

Mr Mugliett said that the vast majority of the restoration and construction work had now been completed, paving the way for landscaping. “This is the only seafront recreational area in Cottonera and hopefully, the success story that is Pinto Wharf Waterfront in Valletta can be repeated,” he said.

He said that workmen were also widening the promenade to allow a greater flow of people through the waterfront area.

“There will also be a small three-metre road to allow traffic for services provided, but access will be restricted, as will parking. However, we are also in the process of clearing a parking area at Xatt ir-Risq, just down the road,” said Mr Mugliett. The existing road will be covered in tarmac until the completion of the hotel next to the Casino di Venezia, after which it will be covered with granite slabs.

Mr Mugliett said that the government had contributed Lm170,000 to the project, with the Malta Transport Authority weighing in with a Lm120,000 contribution. The consortia that are leasing out the Waterfront properties also contributed Lm100,000.

The next step, he said, involved the commissioning and eventual installation of four pieces of art, the provision of street furniture and the planting of green shrubbery and flowers.

The minister pointed out that when the infrastructure was being laid, the developers passed underground pipes through to the marina in order to avoid cumbersome diesel bowsers being needed for refuelling purposes.

He referred to the fact that the back of the waterfront faces St Lawrence Street in Vittoriosa, and said that this would also be paved and be given a layer of tarmac.

Mr Mugliett and various representatives from the consortia said they hoped that the project would be ready by the summer. “The tenants are getting anxious. They want to stock their establishments and have the tables out on the paving as soon as possible. There will be about 20 establishments in total, including boat-related shops, insurance brokers, restaurants, bars and restaurants,” said Mr Mugliett.

Meanwhile, a representative of the Grand Harbour Yacht Marina said that it was already 80 per cent full, with another boom in arrivals expected in the summer. The next step, everyone conceded, was the restoration and fitting out of Fort St Angelo. Some work is already underway to restore the inner hall areas.

It is expected that the paving work will be ready by next month and the work to rehabilitate the existing storm water drain is also in its final stage.

However, the government is also looking at the larger picture. Mr Mugliett said: “The government looks at this part of the island as an extension of the unique feature that is Grand Harbour. In fact, only a few weeks ago, the Malta Maritime Authority issued a call for applications for water taxis to link Vittoriosa waterfront to Valletta Waterfront.

“This service will provide a quick and easy taxi service for thousands of Maltese and tourists alike who might want to park in Valletta and not have to drive all the way here,” said Mr Mugliett.

“Soon we hope to see various investment initiatives that will link the whole harbour area like one long chain into a unique set of attractions that will make Grand Harbour,” he said.