The St Julian's local council is furious after permits were given for works to be carried out on a site in Birkirkara Road last night and again tonight.

The council said that the Ombudsman had ruled only last week that the Building Regulation Office was wrong to issue permits for the removal of debris from the site at night, and that neighbours’ complaints were justified.

With the current levels of traffic congestion all over the island, every road may be practically regarded as such. What makes Birkirkara Road so special?

“The authorities argue that Birkirkara Road is a major road artery as a result of the road works in connection with the Kappara Junction project. The council questions this. With the current levels of traffic congestion all over the island, every road may be practically regarded as such. What makes Birkirkara Road so special?”

Read: 'We are never consulted': mayor lashes out at Transport Malta

The council said it was well aware that a balance had to be reached between the tranquillity of the residents and other economic activities but that the authorities had ignored its proposed solutions.

The contracting firm, Elbros, wrote to residents warning them that it would have to work at night, assuring them that “it was never our intention to do this”, but that the authorities “temporarily consider [the road] as an artery”.

On Wednesday and tonight, between 11pm and 3am, it is hoisting the excavator with a crane and casting a concrete base on site, “so as to prevent this going down into the valley as a result of possible inclement weather”.

It said that it was “very concerned about the adverse impact” and that its site workers would do all possible to mitigate the disruption this would cause.

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