Residents close to the Savoy Hill filling station on Rue D’Argens are worried about the hazards presented by a petrol station being located in such proximity to their homes.
A number of property owners in the vicinity have already taken the fuel station’s tenant to court in an attempt to secure his eviction on separate grounds. The court did indeed order the vacation of the premises back in 2012, but an appeal case is currently underway.
The judgement read that the fuel station’s tenants had originally sub-let from the tenant who rented the property from the owners. However, the tenant had returned the keys to the owners, thus ending the sub-let. The owners argued that the premises had been changed into a garage with fuel pumps without their consent.
A copy of the judgement was sent to the Malta Resources Authority by a lawyer of one of the owners.
A resident close to the site told this newsroom: “The harmful effect on the health and wellbeing of residents, particularly in the vicinity of this corner petrol station, is unacceptable.” He said that the fuel station is not yet operational, but it seems close to being so.
An article published in the Daily Telegraph back in 2011 quotes Marta Doval, co-author of a study regarding fuel stations and health hazards, as having said: “Some airborne organic compounds such as benzene, which increases the risk of cancer, have been recorded at petrol stations at levels above the average levels for urban areas where traffic is the primary source of emission”.
Apart from this, of course, there is always the danger of an accident occurring due to the flammability of fuel.
Earlier this year, Mepa introduced a policy regarding fuel stations and specifically where they can be built and relocated (should existing ones in urban areas choose this option). This highlights the authority’s recognition of the dangers that such a station in an urban area can pose.
Mepa designated areas such as SME sites, areas of containment, open storage sites and non-residential development areas as being the ideal places for fuel stations.
The policy reads that while locations within the Development Zone or other areas designated for urban development may also be considered, “...sites designated as Residential Areas or Residential Priority Areas should not qualify for such consideration”.
The residents are urging the authorities (Mepa and the Malta Resources Authority) to close down or move this site to an alternative and safer location.