BCA Steps In as Birkirkara Residents Voice Concerns Over Early Morning Works at Collapse Site

It’s 6:30 AM, and the usually quiet streets of Birkirkara are filled with an unusual hum. The source? Not the early morning birds, but the heavy machinery kicking into gear at the site of the recent building collapse on Triq il-Kbira. Residents, however, are not chirping with delight. They’re worried, and they’ve had enough.

Early Birds, Not So Much

For the past few weeks, residents along Triq il-Kbira have been waking up to the jarring sound of drills, diggers, and other construction equipment. The noise pollution, they say, is disrupting their morning routines and affecting their health. “It’s like living next to a construction site, even though the building has already collapsed,” complains Joe, a long-time resident who asked not to use his full name.

The building in question, a three-story structure, partially collapsed in late January. Since then, the site has been a hive of activity, with workers scrambling to secure the remaining structure and clear the debris. While the urgency of the situation is understood, the early morning start times are not.

BCA Intervenes

Residents’ complaints have not fallen on deaf ears. The Building Control Agency (BCA), the government body responsible for enforcing building regulations, has stepped in. In a statement, the BCA confirmed that they have issued a notice to the site’s owners and contractors, reminding them of the permitted working hours. “Works should not commence before 7:30 AM on weekdays and 8:00 AM on Saturdays,” the statement reads.

BCA also assured residents that they are monitoring the situation closely and encouraged anyone experiencing issues to contact them directly. “We understand the inconvenience caused and are doing our best to ensure that the works are carried out within the permitted hours,” a BCA spokesperson said.

Residents: “We Just Want Some Peace and Quiet”

While residents welcome the BCA’s intervention, they’re not ready to declare victory just yet. “We appreciate the BCA’s involvement, but we need to see action,” says Maria, another Triq il-Kbira resident. “We’re not asking for much, just a few hours of peace in the morning so we can start our day without feeling like we’re living in a construction zone.”

Residents have also started a petition, calling for stricter enforcement of working hours and compensation for the disruption to their lives. As of now, the petition has gathered over 200 signatures, a testament to the community’s united front.

As the sun rises over Birkirkara, the machinery at the collapse site falls silent, at least for now. But the question remains: will the peace last? Only time, and the BCA’s enforcement, will tell.