Works on the Qui-Si-Sana promenade that were meant to be concluded by the end of June were delayed due to a change of plans on the Enemalta service duct.

A Resources Ministry spokesman said when contacted the promenade in Sliema should be completed within the next few weeks.

Embellishement works on the promenade started in the beginning of the year once the Malta Environment and Planning Authoirty gave its go-ahead in January.

The project includes paving works to increase space for pedestrians, better access to the coast and public sanitary facilities. Resources Minister George Pullicino had said the promenade would be completed by June.

In March, the authority approved the plans for a garden and playground along the promenade. These works are planned to be done by October.

Simon Camilleri, chairman of the Qui-Si-Sana Residents' Association, said the delay on the promenade had inconvenienced residents. They had to deal with the dust that did not allow them to open a window despite the summer heat. Workers, he said, did not even bother to rinse the roads to minimise the dust in the air. Another problem was the traffic generated in the area due to the works.

The ministry spokesman said: "One would understand that during such works some inconveniences may arise. But the ministry assures everyone it is doing its utmost to control such issues as much as possible. The €2 million investment in the promenade and garden will ultimately lead to a much improved site for both locals and tourists."

He explained that, originally, the promenade was meant to be completed in June. Initially, works on the Enemalta service duct was planned to be done at a later stage. "However, to minimise inconvenience to residents, it was decided to continue in parallel with the promenade works. The work (on the duct) turned out to be more demanding and complex than originally anticipated. In fact, works on this service duct, together with a parallel buried services duct route complete with accessible manholes, were only completed this week," he said.

The spokesman added that during works the site was hosed down with water regularly to reduce the dust inconvenience, "so much so that the beach below the promenade is regularly full with both tourists and locals".