It’s 7 AM, and the usually peaceful residential area of St Julian’s is already buzzing with an unusual hum. The source? A massive excavation site at Cresta Quay, where heavy machinery has been at work since sunrise. But this isn’t your typical construction site. It’s a scene that’s been causing sleepless nights and worry for residents living nearby.

The Excavation: A Mountain of Dirt in the Heart of St Julian’s

Cresta Quay, once a quiet stretch of coastline, is now a mountain of dirt and a maze of heavy machinery. The site, owned by Tumas Group, is set to become a luxury apartment complex, but the excavation process has raised alarm bells among residents. The project, approved by the Planning Authority, has seen excavation works ongoing for over a year now.

“We’ve been living with this noise and vibration 24/7 for over a year,” says Maria, a long-time resident of St Julian’s. “It’s not just the noise, it’s the constant worry about our homes. We’re living in fear that one day, we might wake up to find our homes damaged or worse, uninhabitable.”

The Vibrations: “Our Homes Are Shaking Like We’re in an Earthquake”

Residents have been documenting the vibrations caused by the excavation works. Videos shared with Hot Malta show walls shaking, furniture moving, and even chandeliers swaying. The vibrations, they say, are so strong that they feel like they’re living in an earthquake zone.

“I’ve lived in St Julian’s all my life, and I’ve never experienced anything like this,” says Tony, another concerned resident. “The vibrations are so strong that sometimes, I think my house is going to collapse. It’s terrifying.”

Residents have been reaching out to various authorities, including the Environmental Health Directorate, the Police, and their local councillors, but they feel their concerns are falling on deaf ears.

The Authorities: “We’re Doing Our Best to Mitigate the Impact”

Hot Malta reached out to the Environmental Health Directorate, who confirmed they have received numerous complaints from residents. “We’re doing our best to mitigate the impact of these works on the residents,” a spokesperson said. “We’ve been in touch with the developers, and they’ve agreed to implement additional measures to reduce the vibrations.”

However, residents feel that these measures are not enough. “We’ve been told that the works will be completed by the end of the year, but that’s little comfort when our homes are shaking every day,” says Maria.

Tumas Group, the developers behind the project, declined to comment when contacted by Hot Malta.

The Future: “We Just Want Our Peace and Quiet Back”

Residents are hoping that the authorities will step in and ensure that their homes are protected. “We’re not against development, we just want it to be done responsibly,” says Tony. “We just want our peace and quiet back. We want to feel safe in our homes again.”

As the excavation at Cresta Quay continues, residents of St Julian’s are left to wonder what the future holds for their once-peaceful neighborhood. One thing is clear: they won’t go down without a fight.