St Julian’s Residents: Cresta Quay Excavation ‘Lives in Fear’
Fear Grips St Julian’s: Residents Sound Alarm on Cresta Quay Excavation
It’s 7 AM, and the usually bustling St Julian’s promenade is eerily quiet. The reason? A massive excavation site at Cresta Quay has residents on edge, their once peaceful neighbourhood now a symphony of drilling and rumbling. But the noise is just the beginning of their worries. “I live in fear,” admits Maria, a long-time resident who asked to withhold her last name. “I’m scared for my safety and the safety of my family.”
Unanswered Questions and Growing Concerns
Cresta Quay, a once serene stretch of coastline, is now a hive of activity. The site, owned by Tumas Group, is set to become a luxury apartment complex. But the excavation, residents claim, has been anything but smooth. “They started digging without any proper planning,” says Tony, another resident. “We’ve had landslides, cracks in our walls, and even a small earthquake-like tremor.”
The residents’ concerns are echoed by local councillors. “We’ve been flooded with complaints,” says Adrian Delia, Opposition Leader and St Julian’s councillor. “The excavation is too close to the cliff edge, and the vibrations are causing damage to properties.”
Regulatory Oversight and the Race Against Time
The Malta Environment and Planning Authority (MEPA) has been inundated with complaints. “We’re aware of the situation,” a spokesperson says. “We’re conducting regular inspections and have issued directives to the developers to mitigate the impacts.” But for residents, the reassurances are not enough. “They’re playing catch-up,” argues Maria. “The damage is already done.”
Tumas Group, for their part, maintains that safety is their top priority. “We’re working closely with MEPA and our engineers to ensure the stability of the site,” a spokesperson says. “We’re also aware of the residents’ concerns and are doing our best to mitigate any inconvenience.”
: A Fight for Answers and Compensation
Residents, however, are not convinced. They’ve formed a pressure group, ‘Save St Julian’s’, and are planning a protest march. “We want answers,” says Tony. “And we want compensation for the damage done to our properties.”
As the excavation continues, so does the tension. The once peaceful St Julian’s is now a powder keg, ready to explode. The question on everyone’s mind: How much more can the residents take? And how much more will Cresta Quay give?
