St Julian’s Residents Fear Cresta Quay Excavation

Fear Grips St Julian’s Residents as Cresta Quay Excavation Intensifies

It’s 7 am, and the usually bustling St Julian’s promenade is eerily quiet. The gentle lapping of waves against the shore is replaced by the rumble of heavy machinery. The cause? The ongoing excavation at Cresta Quay, a project that has residents on edge.

What’s Happening at Cresta Quay?

Permits granted, the excavation is part of a €15 million project by local developers, G & G Group. The plan? To transform the quaint Cresta Quay into a sprawling 12-story complex, complete with luxury apartments, retail spaces, and a 5-star hotel. But for residents, the promise of progress comes with a heavy price.

Residents’ Concerns: From Noise to Safety

Take a stroll down St George’s Road, and you’ll find residents like Maria, who’s lived here for 30 years. “I wake up at 5 am to the sound of drilling,” she says, her voice barely audible over the din. “It’s not just the noise. It’s the fear. The whole building shakes.”

Concerns aren’t limited to noise pollution. Residents fear the excavation could compromise the structural integrity of nearby buildings. “We’ve had cracks appear in our walls,” says John, another long-time resident. “Who knows what’s happening underground?”

Then there’s the traffic. St Julian’s, already a congested hub, is struggling to cope with the increased vehicle movement. “It’s a nightmare,” says Lisa, a local business owner. “Customers can’t find parking. It’s hurting our businesses.”

G & G Group: Progress with Care

Reached for comment, G & G Group spokesperson, Joseph Portelli, acknowledged residents’ concerns. “We understand this is a sensitive issue,” he said. “We’re doing our best to minimize disruption. We’ve invested in noise barriers, and we’re working closely with the local council to manage traffic flow.”

Portelli also addressed safety concerns. “We’ve conducted thorough geotechnical surveys. Our engineers assure us that the excavation is safe and won’t affect nearby buildings.”

Where Do We Go From Here?

Residents have formed a committee, ‘Save St Julian’s’, to push for stricter regulations and better communication from the developers and the Planning Authority. They plan to hold a peaceful protest this Saturday, starting at 11 am at the St George’s Bay bandstand.

“We’re not against progress,” says Maria, the long-time resident. “But not at the cost of our quality of life and safety. We just want to be heard.”