Updated: Six families remain displaced as emergency works continue at Santa Venera

Six families remain in alternative accommodation in Santa Venera as precautionary and emergency works continue in properties adjacent to a construction site where structural movement was reported over the weekend.

In an update issued Monday following Sunday’s operation in Misraħ il-Barrieri and Triq is-Soll, the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) said that precautionary emergency works were carried out over the past hours in one of the properties bordering the construction site. The works, which included shoring and structural support, were undertaken by the project developer under the supervision of the project architect and the architects representing third parties.

On Monday morning, BCA officials also identified properties along both streets that may have suffered damage. These will now be assessed to determine the extent of any structural impact and to establish the way forward. A new method of construction at the site will also be determined, as the affected properties are built on fragile foundations.

The BCA confirmed that six families are still being provided with assistance and will remain in alternative accommodation until their homes are declared safe.

The latest developments follow reports received by the BCA on Sunday via the 138 helpline, which prompted a joint investigation by the Building and Construction Authority, the Occupational Health and Safety Authority, the Police, the Civil Protection Department, and the project’s architects, together with architects representing third parties.

At the time, the authorities said that, with “the utmost sense of responsibility”, it was decided that some residents who could be affected should temporarily leave their homes after movement was observed in surrounding third-party buildings. The situation has been and continues to be monitored through specially installed crack monitors, while investigations remain ongoing.

Both authorities said they will maintain continuous contact with all parties concerned and will ensure that the rights and interests of affected third parties, as well as the health and safety of everyone involved, are safeguarded. They reiterated their proactive approach in such cases to prevent incidents and again urged the public to make use of the 138 helpline to report concerns.

In a statement on Monday evening, the BCA said that a meeting between it, the Santa Venera local council, the affected residents, and other residents who live in the affected streets.  The contractor and developer of the project which exposed the issues present was also present.

The BCA said that the properties which families have been evacuated from will be assessed to determine whether families can be allowed to safely move back in.

Only emergency works are being allowed in the area, and the BCA said that the local council will also be evaluating all the permits approved in this zone because of the possibility of properties being built on fragile foundations.  In this process, the architects and developers of these projects will be notified so that an agreement on an appropriate method statement will be reached before works start.

 

 

RSS Feed Source: Independent Malta Updated: Six families remain displaced as emergency works continue at Santa Venera