‘I Live in Fear’: Residents’ Alarm Over St Julian’s Cresta Quay Excavation

It’s 7 am, and the usually bustling street of St Julian’s is eerily quiet. The reason? A massive excavation site at Cresta Quay, right in the heart of Malta’s tourist hub. Residents and business owners are up in arms, claiming that the construction work, which started early this year, is causing their buildings to shake and their lives to crumble.

Shaken, Not Stirred

Meet Maria, a 65-year-old retiree who has lived in her apartment at Cresta Quay for over 30 years. “I wake up every morning to the sound of drilling and the feeling of my home trembling,” she says, her voice quivering. “I’m scared. I don’t know if my home is safe anymore.”

Maria is not alone. Several residents have reported cracks in their walls, tiles falling off, and furniture shifting. They blame the excavation work for a nearby luxury apartment project, which is set to be one of the tallest buildings in Malta.

Construction Company Responds

We reached out to the construction company, who assured us that they are following all necessary safety protocols. “We are using the latest technology to minimize vibrations,” a spokesperson said. “We are also closely monitoring the nearby buildings and have not found any significant issues.”

However, residents are skeptical. “They say they’re monitoring, but how can they monitor something they can’t see?” asks Joe, a local businessman who owns a shop near the site. “This is our home, our livelihood. We can’t just stand by and watch it crumble.”

Local Council Steps In

The St Julian’s Local Council has received numerous complaints and has been actively engaging with both the residents and the construction company. “We are doing our best to mediate the situation,” says the council’s spokesperson. “We have requested regular reports from the construction company and have also engaged with independent experts to assess the situation.”

In the meantime, residents are left to live with the constant noise and fear. “I’ve started sleeping in my daughter’s apartment in Sliema,” says Maria. “I can’t bear to stay here anymore.”

As the excavation continues, one thing is clear – the situation at Cresta Quay is far from resolved. The question remains: who will blink first – the residents who want peace and safety, or the construction company that wants to build one of Malta’s most luxurious apartment blocks?