Roads agency defends ‘shoddy’ road works in Żebbuġ valley

Infrastructure Malta has moved to defend works carried out at Wied Qirda, which were described by locals as “shoddy,” insisting that concrete was laid along the edge of a valley to protect the new asphalt surface from rainwater damage and other forms of erosion.

Wied Qirda is located between Żebbuġ and Siġġiewi

Last week, The Malta Independent reported how part of the road leading into the valley was recently covered with asphalt in a dubious looking job. Concrete was poured all along the edge of the road, in parts covering the plants and reeds that line the edge of the valley.

This newspaper sought comments from Infrastructure Malta, which said: “The indicated works form part of an ongoing Infrastructure Malta investment to rebuild several countryside roads in different localities.”

“The narrow concrete fillet edge indicated in the photos is developed as part of the roads’ foundations, within the footprint of

the existing carriageway, to protect the asphalt surface from rainwater damage and other forms of erosion. This edging is required to protect and extend the lifetime of the new road surface.”

“Infrastructure Malta road works are monitored by the project teams coordinating them. The quality of materials used is also tested by independent laboratories. If works do not reach the required quality standards, the agency asks contractors to redo them at their own expense. The contractors entrusted with the rebuilding of the indicated road will be replacing parts of the concrete edging that did not meet Infrastructure Malta’s requirements.”

The recent project also saw an illegal concrete dam, built some years ago to create a driveway leading to two residences in the valley, covered in asphalt.

The dam, which lies smack in the middle of the natural watercourse, is the subject of an enforcement notice by the Planning Authority.