St Julian’s Residents Fearful of Cresta Quay Excavation

Imagine waking up to the sound of your walls creaking and your windows rattling. Not from an earthquake, but from the relentless pounding of heavy machinery just metres away. This is the reality for residents of St Julian’s living near the Cresta Quay excavation site. They’re living in fear, and they’re not afraid to speak out.

Tucked away in the heart of St Julian’s, Cresta Quay is no stranger to controversy. The proposed mixed-use development, a brainchild of local property giant Tumas Group, has been a bone of contention for years. But it’s the recent excavation works that have residents on edge. The site, located just off Triq San Giljan, is now a hive of activity, with heavy machinery digging away at the earth, 24 hours a day.

“It’s like living next to a war zone,” says Maria, a long-time resident of St Julian’s. “The noise is unbearable, and the vibrations are shaking our homes. We’re constantly worried about the structural integrity of our buildings.”

Residents’ main concern is the lack of information about the excavation works. No one seems to know how deep they’re digging, what they’re digging for, or what safety measures are in place. Tumas Group has been tight-lipped about the project, leaving residents in the dark and fueling their fears.

“We’ve heard rumours about underground caves and tunnels,” says Tony, another concerned resident. “No one knows what’s down there. What if they hit something unstable? What if there’s a collapse?”

Malta’s Building and Construction Authority (BCA) has issued permits for the excavation, but the details remain sketchy. When contacted, the BCA referred us to Tumas Group, who declined to comment, citing ongoing legal proceedings.

The Cresta Quay project has been mired in legal battles for years. Environmental groups and heritage activists have challenged the project’s environmental impact assessment (EIA) and its potential impact on the area’s unique ecosystem and historical sites.

Politicians have also weighed in, with Opposition MP Jason Azzopardi calling for an immediate halt to the excavation works. “The lack of transparency and the potential risks to residents and the environment are unacceptable,” he says.

Meanwhile, residents are left to grapple with their fears, their homes shaking with each blow of the excavator. They’re calling for immediate action, for someone to listen to their concerns, and for the truth about what’s happening beneath their feet.

As the excavation continues, so do the fears and the questions. What lies beneath Cresta Quay? What are the potential risks, and what safety measures are in place? . But one thing is certain: the residents of St Julian’s deserve answers, and they deserve peace in their own homes.

“We just want to sleep at night without our beds shaking,” says Maria. “We want to know that our homes are safe, and that someone is looking out for us.”