St Julian’s Residents Alarmed by Cresta Quay Excavation

It’s 7 AM, and the usually quiet residential area of St Julian’s, Malta, is jolted awake. Not by the chirping of birds or the distant hum of traffic, but by a series of deep, rumbling tremors that send shivers through the very foundations of the buildings. The cause? The commencement of excavation works at Cresta Quay, a long-awaited, multi-million-euro development project that’s stirring up more than just dust.

Residents in the vicinity of Cresta Quay have been living in a state of unease since the excavation began. The tremors, likened by some to minor earthquakes, have been a daily occurrence. “It’s like living on a fault line,” complains Maria, a long-time resident of St Andrew’s Street. “I’ve been waking up every morning, thinking the building is going to collapse around me.”

The excavation, a precursor to the construction of a 14-story luxury apartment block, has also brought with it a symphony of drilling and machinery that starts as early as 6 AM and continues well into the evening. “It’s not just the tremors,” says Tony, another resident. “The noise is incessant. It’s like living next to a construction site 24/7.”

The developers, Cresta Quay Limited, have assured residents that the impact of the excavation works is minimal and temporary. “We are using state-of-the-art machinery and following all necessary safety and environmental guidelines,” says a spokesperson. “The excavation is a necessary step in preparing the site for construction, and we regret any inconvenience caused to the residents.”

However, residents are skeptical. “They say it’s minimal, but we’re the ones living through it,” says Maria. “We’ve been asking for reassurance, for some kind of guarantee that our homes are safe, but we’re still waiting.”

Concerns have also been raised about the lack of communication from the developers. “We’ve had no updates, no information about what’s happening, when it’s happening, or how long it’s going to last,” says Tony. “It’s like they’re just doing whatever they want, and we’re supposed to just deal with it.”

St Julian’s local councillor, Alex Vella, has been vocal in his support of the residents. “The concerns of the people living near Cresta Quay are valid,” he says. “They’re not just dealing with the noise and the tremors, but also the stress of not knowing what’s happening or when it’s going to end.”

Vella has been pushing for more communication from the developers and has called on the Planning Authority to ensure that the developers are adhering to all necessary regulations. “We need to strike a balance between development and the quality of life of our residents,” he says. “And right now, that balance seems to be tipped in favor of the developers.”

The excavation works are expected to continue for several more weeks, leaving residents in a state of limbo. “We just want this to be over,” says Maria. “We want our quiet, peaceful neighborhood back.”

But until then, residents are left to endure the daily tremors and the constant noise, hoping that their concerns are being heard and that a resolution is on the horizon. “We’re not against development,” says Tony. “We just want it to be done in a way that respects the people who live here.”