Subterranean spaces near co-cathedral (2)

Much has been said and done about excavations planned for the enlargement of the Museum of St John's Co-Cathedral. Judging by the speed of discussions and the great attention being given to this project, it will doubtlessly not have to be shelved until someone deigns to take some kind of action to get the ball rolling.

Yet I have recently been extremely disturbed by the pictures published in the papers of roots that have wormed their way through basement ceilings at St John's Co-Cathedral.

As long as 18 months ago, during works being carried out at St. Lucia Street, Valletta, several thick and extremely long roots were uncovered beneath the pavement of the said street at least as far as half way down the street, namely on the threshold of the shop Sergio Zampa.

These belong to trees in the square opposite the Law Courts. So far the trees have not been transplanted and I believe I am correct to assume that the roots cannot have grown any shorter or less damaging!

The only solution that the architects responsible came up with was to erect bollards along the pavement to prevent cars from mounting and creating hazardous pressure on the roof of La Valette's vault directly beneath.

At the time I had suggested the trees be removed and transplanted in a spot where they cannot damage historical buildings, since I feared these roots may very well have been exploring the foundations of the cathedral. Time has proven my worst fears true.

Environmentalists argue in favour of the trees. Yet what about a centuries old gem like St John's?

I feel that immediate action should be taken before further damage occurs.

We cannot continue to lie back and spring out of our inertia only when the situation reaches almost impossible proportions.