Heavy trucks full of construction waste are still passing illegally through the village core of Kerċem, creating a disturbance to residents as well as filling the air with noise and dust.

According to a condition in a permit to refill a nearby quarry issued by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority (Mepa), the trucks are not permitted to be driven through the village's main roads but instead must use side roads.

The Sunday Times had highlighted the breach of permit two weeks ago after a complaint from a resident of Sta Luċija.

The established route for the trucks was a condition agreed upon by the Kerċem council, Mepa and the Malta Transport Authority. But last month, Transport Malta turned down Kerċem council's request for two traffic signs to bar entry to heavy vehicles and instead said in a letter that the current route was "adequate".

When contacted yesterday, Kerċem mayor Joseph Grima said he was waiting for a reply from the newly-established Transport Malta. "Last week I had a meeting with Mepa and they told us that Transport Malta had to tackle this problem but I haven't heard from them yet and the trucks are still passing through."

Questions that were sent last week by The Sunday Times to Transport Malta remained unanswered.

The council has been inundated with complaints from residents about the noise, dust and disturbance created by the trucks, which are also making it impossible for visitors to enjoy the countryside in the picturesque San Raflu area which is close to where the quarries are located.

One resident said: "I came to live in Sta Luċija because it was so quiet - if the situation isn't going to change, I'm considering putting my house back on the market."

The trucks are carrying construction waste generated by two major developments in Gozo - one in Marsalforn and the reconstruction of the Mġarr Hotel - to a quarry at Ta' Xrajjaħ, San Lawrenz.

The noise generated by the trucks was also noted as an environmental impact in the permit's project description statement.