A little-known sally port hidden deep in the Valletta ditch is to be used for pedestrian access to the city - generations after it was blocked.

The sally port is at the foot of St Michael counter-guard, half-way along the ditch which from Marsamxett leads to the area below City Gate.

Resources Minister George Pullicino announced today that an application has been made to Mepa for the reopening of the sally port and a wide, 75 metre tunnel which from the sally port leads to the square at the Maramxett end of South Street in Valletta.

He said the opening of this tunnel would be especially ideal for motorists who park in the Valletta ditch. Two travellators will be installed, going in opposite directions. Artists will be invited to exhibit their works along the tunnel walls.

Valletta, like other walled cities, has a number of sally ports, which were used to facilitate entry for people and the transport of weapons. Most were built in secluded areas of fortifications and kept secret, so that they could still be used by the defenders to sortie out during a siege. They could be easily blocked if their location became known to invaders.

Mr Pullicino said the application to Mepa includes plans for the restoration of the square at South Street (near the House of the Four Winds) including the area of a wartime battery, as well as the provision of parking spaces.

The minister pointed out that this €1m project had become possible after an illegal structure which had blocked the area of the sally port was removed. This area will now also be used for parking.

The new project is a continuation of the €36m project for the restoration of the bastions, which is being part-financed by the European Union.

The idea for this project originated from Architecture Project.