BCA Steps In as Birkirkara Residents Allege Early Morning Noise from Collapse Site

It’s 6:30 AM, and the usually quiet streets of Birkirkara are echoing with the hum of machinery. Not the usual morning symphony of birdsong and distant church bells, but the unmistakable drone of heavy equipment at work. Residents of this central Malta town are up in arms, alleging that early morning construction work at a nearby collapse site is disrupting their peace and quiet.

Residents’ Complaints: Too Early, Too Loud

Birkirkara resident, Maria Zammit, has been living on Triq il-Kbira for over 30 years. She’s seen her fair share of construction, but the current situation at the old cinema site, now a gaping hole in the street, has pushed her patience to the limit. “It’s not just the noise,” she says, “it’s the early morning start. I’m a retired teacher, and I like to have a lie-in. But with this racket, I’m up at the crack of dawn every day.”

Maria is not alone. Several residents have taken to social media to voice their concerns, with many echoing her sentiments. The construction work, they claim, starts as early as 6 AM, well before the official start time for construction work in residential areas, which is 7 AM.

BCA Investigates: Noise Levels and Timings

Hot on the heels of these complaints, the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) has stepped in to investigate. BCA Inspector, Joseph Xuereb, confirmed that they have received several complaints about the noise levels and early morning timings at the site. “We’re looking into these allegations,” he said, “and we’ll be conducting noise level tests at the site to ensure they’re within the permitted decibel limits.”

The BCA has also confirmed that they will be checking the construction company’s permit to ensure they’re adhering to the approved working hours. “If we find any violations,” Xuereb warned, “we won’t hesitate to take enforcement action.”

Developer’s Response: Safety First

Reached for comment, the developer, Malta-based construction firm, Xtrada Ltd, maintained that safety was their top priority. “The site is a collapse site,” explained spokesperson, Mark Attard, “and we need to ensure the stability of the surrounding structures before we can start any major construction work. This sometimes means early morning work to avoid disrupting traffic flow during peak hours.”

Attard also assured residents that they were doing their best to keep noise to a minimum. “We’re using low-noise equipment where possible,” he said, “and we’ve been in touch with the BCA to ensure we’re adhering to all regulations.”

However, when pressed about the early morning starts, Attard admitted that they might have been starting work a bit earlier than the permitted 7 AM. “We’re looking into this,” he said, “and we’ll make sure we’re in line with the regulations going forward.”

What’s Next?

The BCA is expected to complete its investigation and tests within the next week. If the noise levels are found to be within the permitted limits and the construction company is adhering to the approved working hours, it’s unlikely that any enforcement action will be taken. However, if the BCA finds any violations, they could issue a warning, impose a fine, or even temporarily halt the construction work.

In the meantime, residents are advised to keep a record of the noise and the timings. The BCA encourages residents to submit their complaints in writing, including dates and times, to help with their investigation.

This is a developing story, and Hot Malta will keep you updated as more information comes to light.