Stainless steel net to be installed at Għar Lapsi

Preventive measures have been taken by the infrastructure ministry at the area known as ‘west cove’ in Għar Lapsi, Siġġiewi, with access currently being closed off.

This is being done with the aim of protecting the safety of the general public as much as possible due to falling rocks. In 2013, a steel net was installed near the rocks in the area of Għar Lapsi, which was recently noted to have deteriorated. This was partially caused by rocks of various sizes falling from the cliff face and getting caught in the same net anchored to the rock.

The engineers who had installed the net were recently asked to go on site and analyse the state of the rocks and the net. Following this visit, it was confirmed that the structural bolts were still in a good state, but the steel net needed to be replaced by a stainless steel net so as to prevent the need for it to be changed again for as long as possible. The experts acknowledged that the caves and ‘west cove’ are highly exposed to erosion.

The Works Department has therefore reached an agreement with Italian brand Geomont SRL, with the aim of first removing the steel net on site as well as all the rock along ‘west cove’ which has fallen throughout the past five years. Following this, a protective stainless steel net will be installed.

The ministry said that, while it understands that several individuals have already begun swimming this year, it feels that due to the potential for danger, this intervention is necessary to reduce the risk as much as possible.

While everything is being done to ensure that this work is completed in the shortest time possible, it is important for the general public to be aware of the existing dangers in this area and to observe the signs on site as well as the general environment, the ministry said.