Bisazza Street embellishment to be completed by end-May

Minister of Resources and Rural Affairs George Pullicino this afternoon said government is fulfilling the promise made at the inauguration of Pjazza Sant' Anna to begin infrastructural developments in Sliema.

The works will include widening of pavements to make the Sliema shopping area more accessible as well as lighting, benches, plantars and two fountains to be set up in the square. A sculpture of three Maltese theatre personalities will also be set up in the square, as well as CCTV cameras and a Wi-Fi system.

Underlying infrastructure will also be revamped as present systems were “old and in a state of disrepair”, Pullicino said, who visited works in Bisazza street today.

The embellishment works are to cost an estimated €700,000 to €750,000.

Even though the issue of whether or not the area will be pedestrianised will be discussed at a later stage, both outcomes have been catered for in the plans so as no further works will be required. Parking issues will also be addressed in further discussions. Pullicino said that he would not want the Sliema area to look like a “cemetery of cars” but did not want to comment before discussions take place.

Pullicino added that works could not be delayed as they were the result of a year and half of discussions with the Sliema business centre, who identified this time as the only feasible time for works to be carried out.

“Delaying the works until after completion of the Qui-si-sana road would have been disastrous as the works would then be pushed into June, when the tourist season is flourishing," Pullicino said, referring to the re-routing of traffic through St Anthony Street. The Midi complex's ring road could not be used because it is still not open to traffic, even though it is completed.

“Works at Qui-si-sana were meant to be concluded by 21 January 2011, however following two weeks of heavy rainfall checks on bearing capacity could not be made sufficiently so works were delayed.”

Works are being done on a shift basis starting at 7am until 8pm on weekdays and from 7am to 1pm on Saturdays and Sundays. Pullicino promised that embellishment works are also on the plans for the Strand, between the Nazarene Church and the Sliema War Memorial.