The wall that supports the canal side collapsed this spring but nothing has changed except for the protective fencing. Officials say the canal – which has long been an ugly surprise to visitors arriving in the Latvian capital by bus – collapse doesn't interfere with deliveries to the market, but Central Market employee Sergejs disagrees.
"Recently there was a bottleneck that required drivers to drive backwards. It's basically a violation," he said.
In summer the city dropped a major reconstruction project worth €30m that would see the Central Market restored along with the adjoining canal and the extensive basement network below the landmark pavilions, which formerly housed Zeppelins.
