Xghajra promenade taking shape

The building of a 1.5 kilometre promenade along the coast at Xghajra is progressing in spite of the bad weather that hit the country in recent months.

During a visit yesterday, Infrastructure Minister Ninu Zammit said that more than 10,000 cubic metres of material removed from the Red China Dock about 30 years ago was being excavated to improve the sea view from the road and also eliminate the existing dangers.

The area would also be embellished through the planting of trees and plants once the excavation was complete.

About 100 metres of large limestone blocks have been placed to serve as wave breakers and also to act as foundation for a new pavement being built. The existing pavements on the inner area were being removed to be replaced by new ones which will have a decorative design, the paving covering an area of 1,500 square metres.

Mr Zammit said that in the past weeks work started on the building of a breakwater and a culvert was planned to take the vast amount of rain water that accumulated in the area. This work should be followed by the building of a new pavement.

On the inner part of the road a new drainage pump switch room will be built to replace the old one.

The work, being carried out by Works Division employees, should be complemented with benches, street lightning and dustbins.

These were being manufactured by the Manufacturing and Services Division within the ministry, Mr Zammit said.

Natural boulders found among the excavated material were to be used for the creation of a rock garden along the promenade. The project was planned to be concluded in June.