St Julian’s Residents: “Our Homes Are Shaking, We’re Living in Fear” Due to Cresta Quay Excavation

It’s 7 am, and the usually peaceful St Julian’s is already awake, not by choice, but by the relentless rumble of heavy machinery. The source? The ongoing excavation works at Cresta Quay, a project that has residents on edge, quite literally. Windows rattle, walls crack, and nerves fray as the excavation for a new development continues unabated.

From Quiet Residential Area to Constant Construction Site

St Julian’s, once a sleepy fishing village, has evolved into a bustling hub of tourism and residential living. Yet, the tranquility that many residents moved here for has been replaced by a constant symphony of drilling, digging, and demolition. The Cresta Quay excavation, set to make way for a new luxury apartment block, has been the latest source of this disruption.

Residents like Maria, a retired nurse who has lived in her apartment on Triq San Giljan for over 20 years, are at their wits’ end. “I wake up every morning to this noise,” she says, gesturing towards the construction site visible from her balcony. “It’s not just the noise, it’s the vibrations. My walls are cracking, and I’m scared for my safety.”

Regulations and Respite: A Delicate Balance

The excavation works are supposed to adhere to strict regulations, including a daily noise limit of 70 decibels between 6 am and 10 pm, and 60 decibels between 10 pm and 6 am. However, many residents claim these limits are frequently exceeded, with noise levels often reaching 80 decibels or more during peak hours.

Dr. Joseph Borg, an environmental consultant based in Malta, explains, “While regulations are in place to protect residents, enforcement can be challenging, especially in areas where construction is booming. It’s a delicate balance between development and quality of life.”

Residents Fight Back: Petitions, Protests, and Legal Action

Tired of the constant noise and vibrations, residents have taken matters into their own hands. Petitions have been circulating, calling for stricter enforcement of noise regulations and better communication from the developers, Tumas Group. A protest was held last month, with residents gathering outside the construction site, holding signs that read “Our Homes, Our Rights” and “Silence is Golden, But Not at Cresta Quay.”

Some residents have also taken legal action, engaging lawyers to explore potential compensation claims for the damage to their properties. Meanwhile, the local council has been inundated with complaints, with many residents feeling that their concerns are falling on deaf ears.

When contacted, a spokesperson for Tumas Group stated, “We are committed to adhering to all regulations and minimizing disruption to residents. We are working closely with the relevant authorities to ensure that the excavation works are carried out in a responsible manner.”

Yet, for residents like Maria, these assurances ring hollow. “I just want to sleep at night without my bed shaking,” she says. “I want to feel safe in my own home. Is that too much to ask?”

As the excavation at Cresta Quay continues, one thing is clear: the tension between development and the quality of life for Malta’s residents is a complex issue that requires nuanced solutions. It’s a battle that’s being fought on many fronts, from the streets of St Julian’s to the corridors of power in Valletta.

The future of Cresta Quay, and indeed, the future of development in Malta, hangs in the balance. But one thing is certain: the residents of St Julian’s will not go down without a fight.