Birzebbuga residents this morning expressed concern at dredging works by Malta Freeport, which, according to the Malta Environment and Planning Authority permit, cannot be carried out in the bathing season.

Birzebbuga Environment Action Group John Grech and mayor Joseph Farrugia, accompanied by some 50 worried residents, told a news conference this morning that a reserved matter in the Freeport's permit for dredging works in the bay was that the work should not be carried out in official bathing season.

However, a couple of weeks ago, boat owners who berth in bay received a notice from Transport Malta telling them to remove their boats by June 10 (yesterday) due to dredging works.

The residents are worried that since this was a Transport Malta issue against Public Health, which had raised the matter, Public Health would withdraw and allow the works to be carried out in summer.

They pointed out that they had written to the Prime Minister, parliamentary secretaries Mario de Marco and Chris Said, Mepa chairman Austin Walker and other Mepa members, but had not received any replies.

One resident recalled catching sea urchins from the area in times of by and pointed out that the seabed had now been transformed to dirt and oil.

Another complained that the value of their properties had been turned to nil.