Underground network studies may lead to review of plans for St George's Square

The Resources Ministry has undertaken to carry out further studies to access and document as much possible of the Valletta underground network and review its plans for St George’s Square according to what is found.

The environmental group Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar said in a statement this morning that in a recent meeting with Minister George Pullicino, it was shown the positive changes to be undertaken at St George’s Square.

These include the elimination of the surface parking and the re-design of the square to incorporate ornamental paving, a large shallow fountain, street furniture and improved lighting as well as the upgrading of the streets in the immediate vicinity.

During the meeting FAA representatives brought to the attention of the authorities the existence of a 50-foot long underground passage, leading from Archbishop Street towards the centre of St George’s Square which was thought to be part of a network in the area of the Palace.

FAA said it was delighted that exploratory works have confirmed that the passage is part of a larger network which includes a vaulted area and smaller rooms excavated into the sides of the passages.

It said that while it still had strong reservations about the excavation of the square for the provision of underground parking, it was confident that the changes to this urban space would not only enhance the prestige of the square facing the Presidents’ Palace but would also greatly improve the enjoyment of the square.

The group proposed that part of these passages should be made accessible to the public as an added heritage attraction and an insight into the very old civil engineering works that lay beneath Valletta’s streets, national heritage which might have been lost if it were not for this fruitful cooperation between the authorities and civil society.