St Julian’s council complains about night permits

The St Julian’s Local Council has complained to the authorities after permits were given for works to be carried out on a site in Birkirkara Road.

The council said that the Ombudsman last week ruled that the Building Regulation Office was wrong to issue permits for the removal of debris from the site at night, and that neighbours’ complaints were justified.

“The authorities argue that Birkirkara Road is a major road artery as a result of the road works in connection with the Kappara Junction project. The council questions this. With the current levels of traffic congestion all over the island, every road may be practically regarded as such. What makes Birkirkara Road so special?”

The council said it understands that a balance needs to be reached between the tranquillity of the residents and other economic activities but that the authorities had ignored its proposed solutions.

The contracting firm, Elbros, wrote to residents warning them that it would have to work at night, assuring them that “it was never our intention to do this,” but that the authorities “temporarily consider [the road] as an artery.”

Last night and tonight, between 11pm and 3am, the company was and will again be hoisting an excavator with a crane and casting a concrete base on site, “so as to prevent this going down into the valley as a result of possible inclement weather,”.

It said that it was “very concerned about the adverse impact” and that its site workers would do everything possible to mitigate the disruption this might cause.