City Gate comes down

Traffic signs have been set up as far as Pietà to remind drivers that access to the City from Pope Pius V Street is no longer available, directing them to access routes from St Paul’s Street or Marsamxett Road.

The road in question has been closed off by barriers and police officers and Transport Malta officials were onsite to direct drivers not aware of the changes to the traffic flow system that were put in place as of yesterday 1 May.

Traffic has been re-routed so that access can be gained from St Paul’s Street, with traffic flow direction being changed along Archbishop Street.

An alternative entry route lies in St Mark’s Street leading onto Old Bakery Street.

Residents of the Hastings area have expressed their concern over new access routes as they have been heavily inconvenienced. Access to Hastings is from St Mark’s Street, then zigzagging across the city through St John’s Street, along Strait Street and back down Melita Street.

In a protest led by lawyer Manuel Mallia on Friday they voiced concerns about access to emergency medical services as the roads concerned are all narrow and do not permit speedy access to the area, which may cost the elderly population their lives.

Difficulty reaching the area was made evident by the empty car parks and an abnormal amount of empty parking places around the area.

Shoppers complained of the time it took to get into the City saying “with the difficulty in access to Valletta as well as the parking problems, it just isn’t worth coming into Valletta. There are other shopping areas that are more accessible.”

While City Gate is being demolished pedestrian traffic has been directed away from City Gate for health and safety purposes. Pedestrians have been redirected through Vjal Nelson and St James Ditch.

Pedestrians using the new route complained of the increased time it took to get into the City but said it was “a necessary inconvenience that will eventually result in an improved capital city.”

Paul Fenech, President of Republic Street’s Business Community said the flow of people coming into Valletta will slow due to the demolition of City Gate, even though alternative passages have been set up. He is expecting a drop in business however he says that the long term effects of the change are impossible to predict.

“I hope that eventually people will get used to the alternative routes that have to be taken, however over the weeks of demolition I am sure that people will avoid coming into the City. It is difficult to assess the long term effects this will have on businesses in Valletta."

“So far the works on City Gate have been managed professionally and the impact on business has been limited, however there are several issues that are affecting business. Parking has always been of major concern as patrons avoid coming to Valletta altogether and are doing their shopping elsewhere.