Embellishment work has started at the Mall Gardens in Floriana, with Infrastructure Minister Ninu Zammit pointing out that this is another link in the chain of projects to give some much needed shine to the Capital City area.
Mr Zammit said that this project follows embellishment work at the lower Barrakka Gardens and Hastings Gardens. Visiting the Mall Gardens yesterday, Mr Zammit said that employees within the Works Department of the ministry had completed illumination works and were now embarking on the next phase to carry out structural renovations.
The work will include the laying of new paving and the installation of garden furniture. The paving material is limestone with granite edging and will emphasise the long and straight lines of the gardens’ contours.
The paving will need to cover 4,000 square metres and a length of 350 metres.
The plumbing and electrical systems have been overhauled, with the installation of a new drip irrigation system and new electrical conduits. The conduits will allow underground electricity cables to be passed so as to create better illumination of the monuments inside the garden.
The minister said that other projects had been completed in Floriana including the restoration of the King George V main entrance to the Mall Gardens, the restoration of the local council premises, the restoration of Sarria church, the restoration of the St Anne’s Street lion and the laying of new pavements.
There is no set price for the restoration work, but materials alone cost Lm100,000 of which Lm10,000 will be contributed by the local council. The project is expected to be completed by the middle of this year.
Mr Zammit said that other restoration projects were being carried out in the Greater Harbour area – for example the reorganisation and embellishment of a dilapidated grove in Cospicua.
In addition, the Valletta paving master plan will soon be gradually introduced and this will incorporate new lighting for historic buildings, resurfacing of roads and the restoration of various structures.