The once dilapidated dust bowl in front of Rabat's Domus Romana has been tarmacked and converted into a proper car park bringing 40 years of residents' frustration to an end.

L-għalqa ta' Kola, as the area was known, had been left abandoned since the 1960s because of a land dispute resolved only recently.

The tarmac is one of three layers; the bottom layer is gravel, which will protect remains believed to be the foundations of centuries-old houses and the second is a thin layer of concrete to add stability.

The quality of life for residents in the area has greatly improved as the time when the wind, would whip up a veritable sandstorm and prevent them from opening a window or hang out washing has come to an end.

Doris Gatt Scicluna, 61, a Rabat resident for the past 45 years and a campaigner to get the car park done, is over the moon that she can finally open her windows and not have dust all around the house. Her next-door neighbour, Rose Falzon, 81, is also very happy it is finally done.

She had moved into her house in 1966 and cannot remember the car park any other way.

However, a small building that used to be the old vegetable market is still a bone of contention with residents as it blocks the view of the Domus Romana and is an eyesore.

Shop owner Ray Azzopardi said the area had been done up perfectly but the only problem was this room, in front of his shop.

George Micallef, 60, also believes the room is a problem but seems more concerned with whether or not the government will be imposing a fee for parking. Other than that, he likes the work done.

A Resources Ministry spokesman said once the project was completed the ministry would look into residents' complaints about the small room. Consultation would be held with all concerned and the necessary steps would be taken, he said. He added that by tomorrow or Friday the lines for the parking bays should be painted. Orange trees will be located in planters around the car park.