Strand bus lane to close for two months for Enemalta cable works

The bus lane along the Strand in Sliema will be closed for about two months from Wednesday 4 November while Enemalta lays new electricity cables between Gżira and Sliema, Lovin Malta and Newsbook reported on 3 November. Traffic heading out of Sliema along the seafront will be reduced to one lane while the works are under way.

Enemalta will lay a total of 7.2 kilometres of new cable. The main element is a new 4.5-kilometre, 11kV cable linking the Manoel Island distribution centre in Gżira to the Ferries area in Sliema, giving central Sliema a direct connection. A further 2.7 kilometres of low-voltage cable will strengthen the local low-voltage network.

According to Enemalta, the existing cable has built up many joints over the years, which makes it more prone to faults, and replacing it is the best long-term solution. The new cables are meant to increase capacity to meet higher electricity demand in Gżira and Sliema, Newsbook reported, citing a growing population and rising tourist numbers.

"The new cable will increase our capacity and give us a stronger direct connection into central Sliema," Enemalta executive chairman Ryan Fava said. "This is a section of the network where replacement is the right long-term solution," he added, according to Newsbook.

Neither report gave details of bus diversions or parking changes. For bus routes through Sliema, see our transport guide, and for current notices, service updates.