St Julian’s Residents Fear Earthquakes Amid Cresta Quay Excavation

It’s 7 am, and the usually quiet residential street of Triq San Ġorġ in St Julian’s is already buzzing. But it’s not the early morning chatter of neighbours greeting each other that’s filling the air. It’s the low rumble of heavy machinery, the clanking of metal against metal, and the distant thunder of explosives echoing through the narrow street.

The source of this unrelenting din is the ongoing excavation works at Cresta Quay, a sprawling construction site that’s been swallowing up a chunk of the once-quiet seaside area. Residents have been living with the noise and vibrations for months now, but the past few weeks have seen a significant escalation that’s left many on edge.

St Julian’s, with its bustling nightlife and tourist hotspots, has always been a town of contrasts. But the Cresta Quay project, a multi-million euro development by the Tumas Group, is set to reshape the area in ways that have residents worried. The project, which includes a five-star hotel, luxury apartments, and a yacht marina, promises to bring jobs and tourism to the area. But for many living nearby, the promises of a brighter future are being drowned out by the noise and vibrations of the ongoing works.

“I’ve lived here for 20 years,” says Maria, a retired nurse who asked that her last name not be used. “I’ve never experienced anything like this. It’s like living next to a war zone.” Maria’s home, like many others in the area, is just metres away from the construction site. She says the vibrations from the explosions and heavy machinery are strong enough to rattle her windows and make her walls shake.

Maria’s fears are not unfounded. The excavation works at Cresta Quay involve blasting through solid rock to create the foundations for the new development. While the developers have assured residents that these works are being carried out in accordance with all necessary permits and safety regulations, some residents are worried about the potential for earthquakes and structural damage to their homes.

“We’ve had a few minor tremors already,” says Joseph, another resident who’s been documenting the vibrations and noise levels in his home. “I’ve spoken to geologists, and they’ve told me that these blasts could potentially trigger something more serious.” Joseph has been vocal about his concerns, even setting up a Facebook group for residents to share their experiences and voice their worries.

The developers, meanwhile, have been quick to reassure residents. “We understand that there may be some inconvenience during this phase of the project,” says a spokesperson for the Tumas Group. “But we want to assure the public that all necessary precautions are being taken to ensure the safety of both our workers and the residents of St Julian’s.”

The St Julian’s Local Council has been fielding complaints from residents for months now. In response, they’ve set up a 24/7 hotline for noise complaints and have been working with the developers to mitigate the impact of the works. But for many residents, these measures are not enough.

“We want the works to stop until a full geological survey has been carried out,” says Maria. “We want to know for sure that our homes are safe before they continue with this project.” Other residents have echoed this sentiment, calling for a moratorium on the works until their safety concerns have been addressed.

As the excavation works at Cresta Quay continue, the residents of St Julian’s find themselves in a state of limbo. They’re caught between the promise of a brighter future and the very real fears of the present. how this story plays out, but one thing is for sure – the residents of St Julian’s are not going to go down without a fight.