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The architect of the Piazza Paola renovation project on Tuesday slammed authorities for repaving the square’s roads with asphalt, replacing the cobblestones laid as part of the project more than five years ago.
Architect Christopher Mintoff said the “dream” of a plaza in the south that prioritized pedestrians had been “dead”.
“The cobblestones have been replaced with the same material as every branch and main road,” Mintoff said.
The condition of the road has been a source of complaints from motorists for years, and Transport Minister Chris Bonett told parliament on Tuesday that repairs are now largely complete.
Infrastructure Malta said earlier this month that the road between Lucca Road and Antoni de Paule Square had suffered “considerable damage”.
The square is part of a €3 million renovation project that was completed just five years ago but sparked controversy when large mature banyan trees were replaced with saplings. The project’s architect defended the decision, saying the banyan trees were damaging underground utilities.
On Tuesday, Mintoff again defended the project and said the cobblestone street was well designed and met project specifications.
“No matter how well you design or build it, you can’t protect it from its users. The square was supposed to be closed to heavy traffic (to reduce noise, pollutants, etc.). However, before the material had fully cured, the square was in the Marsa project During this period it was used as a diversion for the heaviest industrial traffic.”
He said authorities were “very aware” of the problem.
“The main initial damage is obviously caused by the braking force of the multi-wheeler, which is prohibited by design. Once the road surface is loose, traffic will wear it down faster,” he said.
Mintoff said that unlike newly paved asphalt, the cobblestone streets promote slower traffic, smaller vehicles and increased pedestrian activity in the square.
Contacted for comment, Paola Mayor Dominic Grima said the repaving was done with asphalt because the repairs were “urgent” and acknowledged that cobblestones are more aesthetically pleasing than asphalt.
The mayor pointed out that the square was a central government project and said the design of the square should be revisited to make it more attractive.
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