Mepa should never have given the permit for such a big project in the heart of a busy residential area like St Julian’s. Although I look forward to the day when the Authority is divided into two as this is a step in the right direction – some reforms in the issue of permits and their parameters is also necessary.
We hardly need another supermarket in St Julian’s. However, if this project was felt to be so indispensable for Park Towers to expand further, the permit in question should have had stricter parameters.
Heavy vibrations from 8am to 6pm daily are very difficult to endure by residents living nearby and this is a heavily populated area. Personally speaking, my wellbeing has gone out the window waiting with dread at the following day of intense noise and shaking furniture. It is not always possible to drive away and Saturdays especially are a day of rest, they should take a break in the weekend so people can recharge for the following week.
As things are, I am begging the construction group responsible to begin later, perhaps at 9am or at least finish earlier around 4pm like they did for a few weeks and to take Saturdays off. This makes the whole situation slightly more tolerable.
As things are enduring this noise for another month or more is stressful.
In the end, if this unchecked construction goes on we will have to start moving out of St Julian’s. With the tourists creating a nuisance through the night in summer and construction in winter, this place is becoming intolerable and definitely not a good place to raise children.
Once the project is completed the next concern, following all this noise, which is unhealthy for mental wellbeing, is the fact the traffic on the road that is a main artery leading to Valletta will become even more chaotic then it is already. Pleasures yet to come!
Dear Mepa, please become more conscious of your decisions and how this will affect people on a large scale. It is your responsibility! Don’t just sit there and push paper and try to please the big guys who want big money!
Construction groups, I understand you need your bread and butter but you are fast becoming the nightmare of our society. Use a little creativity, think outside the box and perhaps invest in restoration projects or urban regeneration projects rather than building more concrete boxes that are not really needed. Take jobs which help upgrade our communities rather than destroy the little peace and quiet we have left. At the end of the day, it is in your hands. There are ways of making money without damaging the lives of others.
J. Abela
St Julian’s