The Mepa board unanimously approved the refurbishment and upgrading of the quay at Veccja in St Paul’s Bay.

The breakwater, an integral part of the quay, was built around 60 years ago and the pounding by waves it gets in winter time have gravely damaged it with fissures.

In the coming refurbishment, the quay wall will get what might be called the ‘Mgarr treatment’ – that is, big boulders will be placed on the seaward side so as to break the fury of the waves.

The upgrading will also include the complete repaving of the quay, and also removing the smaller of the two slipways in the area. The slipway that will be removed is the smaller one and one that is not much used by fishermen – actually, the board was told this slipway is somewhat of a hindrance.

The board was assured there are no protected species in the area but Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar would have wanted a new study on the matter.

A minor altercation took place when the project’s architect, questioned on the drains in the area replied by saying that was what people told him. Mepa chairman Vince Cassar said that proper information should have been obtained from WSC.

 

Another issue regarded the power washing of the boulders prior to their being put in place. It was explained the power washing will be done in the quarry. And the boulders will be lowered down to the place where they will stay by means of a crane. Even so, there will be independent monitoring of the works.