Valletta kiosks shut down as work on new Triton Square begins

The square by Triton Fountain at the entrance of Valletta will be converted into a pedestrian zone 

Kiosks at the entrance to Valletta have been shut down pending their demolishment. Photo: James Bianchi
Kiosks at the entrance to Valletta have been shut down pending their demolishment. Photo: James Bianchi
Kiosks at the entrance to Valletta have been shut down pending their demolishment. Photo: James Bianchi
Kiosks at the entrance to Valletta have been shut down pending their demolishment. Photo: James Bianchi
Kiosks at the entrance to Valletta have been shut down pending their demolishment. Photo: James Bianchi
Kiosks at the entrance to Valletta have been shut down pending their demolishment. Photo: James Bianchi

The kiosks surrounding the entrance of Valletta have been shut down, pending their demolishment as part of a major project to revamp the entrance to the capital.

Street vendors have also been removed from the entrance, while white taxi drivers have been informed that they will soon be relocated to a nearby location.

The Grand Harbour Regeneration Committee in July announced a major project to beautify the entrance to Valletta, to be completed before the city is named European Capital of Culture in 2018.

As part of the project, the Triton Fountain will be restored and the square around it will be converted into a fully pedestrian area, complete with several trees. The Valletta ditch will be turned into a garden and a new roundabout will be built on Great Siege Road near the education and transport ministries.

Sunday newspaper Illum reported in August that parliamentary secretary for planning Deborah Schembri has ensured the kiosk owners that they will not lose their jobs but that they will be given new buildings that will be incorporated into the final project. 

An artist's rendition of the revamped Triton Square
An artist's rendition of the revamped Triton Square