Labour Party welcomes change in Triton fountain plans

Labour spokesperson for Planning, Urban development, Construction and Housing Roderick Galdes said the Labour Party welcomed the Valletta Triton fountain restoration project announced by Infrastructure and Transport minister Austin Gatt.

Gatt had previously said that the fountain would be removed from its place which would cost millions of euros and relocated to another position.

Yesterday, however, Gatt said that the Valletta Square plans designed by architect Renzo Piano had been amended to incorporate the Triton fountain as a centrepiece.

Galdes said that the PL had immediately stressed the need to withdraw the relocation plans due to possible damage and historic value of the monument.

“We believe that the restoration of this fountain in the same location would be more beneficial than if the fountain were to be moved from the square. When we had criticised the proposed relocation of the fountain, the government defended its decision while trying to ridicule the PL’s proposals when denying that the fountain was in the process of being scheduled for the highest degree of protection,” Galdes said.

Galdes said that the government had to “once again back down” because its proposals did not reflect the national welfare of Malta and lacked expert opinions.

“We find the change in plans rewarding and even though we were criticised for our opposition to the removal project, it clearly shows that we were once again right about this project,” Galdes said.