The Tourism and Culture Ministry is this year once again prohibiting road and trenching works by government departments and entities in tourist zones, and set times for construction works on private sector projects, during the months of July, August and September.

The ministry, the Building Industry Consultative Committee (BICC), the General Retailers and Traders Union (GRTU) and the Federation of the Building and Civil Engineering Contractors (FOBC) in 2001 agreed on measures designed to minimise noise and disturbances during the high season in tourist areas.

Contractors have been supplied with maps which indicate where building works can be undertaken subject to agreed conditions in Malta and Gozo’s main tourist zones during the summer months.

As from today till the end of September, construction work may be performed subject to the following conditions as agreed by the parties mentioned above:

• Construction work will not commence before 8am;

• Construction work is to be suspended between 2pm and 3.30pm;

• No demolition works are to be carried out during the months of July to September; and

• No excavation or rock-cutting work is to be carried out during the months of July to September; however ripping and loading of already-excavated material is permitted.