BCA Halts Early Morning Works After Resident Complaints

It’s 6:30 AM in the quiet, tree-lined streets of Birkirkara. The sun is barely up, but the sound of drilling and hammering echoes through the neighbourhood. Residents, rubbing sleep from their eyes, peer out their windows to see a flurry of activity at the site of the recent building collapse on Triq San Pawl. The question on everyone’s mind: why the early start?

For weeks, residents have been living with the aftermath of the partial collapse of a five-story building. Now, they’re grappling with another issue – the early morning works that have become a daily occurrence. “It’s like they’re trying to wake the whole neighbourhood,” grumbles Joe, a long-time resident who asked to be identified only by his first name. “We’ve got kids trying to sleep for school, and we’re all trying to get some rest after a long day.”

Residents have taken to social media to voice their concerns, with many expressing frustration at the lack of communication from the authorities and the building’s owners. “We’ve been left in the dark about what’s going on and when it’s going to end,” says Maria, another resident.

Hot Malta has learned that the Building Control Agency (BCA) has stepped in following these complaints. In a statement, the BCA confirmed that they have issued a directive to the site’s contractors, ordering them to cease early morning works. The directive states that no works should commence before 7:30 AM on weekdays and 8:00 AM on weekends.

“We understand the residents’ concerns and we’re committed to ensuring that the site’s activities do not disrupt their daily lives,” a BCA spokesperson told Hot Malta. “We’re working closely with the site’s owners and contractors to ensure that this directive is followed.”

The BCA also confirmed that they are in the process of issuing a notice to the site’s owners, outlining the necessary safety measures to be taken before any further works commence. This follows the recent collapse, which left the building’s facade precariously balanced and raised concerns about the safety of nearby properties.

While the early morning disruptions have been addressed, the long-term solution to the building’s instability remains uncertain. The BCA has assured residents that they are working diligently to ensure the safety of the area, but many residents remain anxious about the future.

“We just want to know what’s going to happen,” says Joe. “We’re living with this every day, and we need some reassurance that it’s going to be sorted out soon.”

In the meantime, residents are encouraged to continue voicing their concerns to the BCA and their local councilors. The BCA can be reached at 2292 4000, while the Birkirkara Local Council can be contacted at 2142 1000.