The former railway tunnel under the parliament building in Valletta is to be converted to house parliamentary archives, conference rooms, and a bar for MPs.

The tunnel was dug in the late nineteenth century and led out of Valletta from the underground station where parliament House now is.

The train making its way out of the tunnel in Valletta.

The train service was discontinued in 1931. More recently the tunnel was known as the Yellow Garage and was used for parking.

Speaker Anġlu Farrugia said the €2.6 million project will also include two committee rooms and a study area for researchers.

The old parliament, at the palace, used to have a bar and a library, but no space was found for them in the new building. 

The new structures will not touch the walls of the tunnel, Grand Harbour Regeneration Corporation architect Clive Borg Bonaci said, adding that the corporation will ensure that natural light will still seep through to the new offices.

He said the new structures were needed because the new parliament building lacked adequate space. 

Dr Farrugia pointed out that six new committees had been formed since the building started being used in 2015. 

A full development permit was issued last week, Mr Farrugia said, adding that the project is set to be completed in two years.