Preventive measures have been taken to continue restricting access to the part known as ‘west cove’ in Għar Lapsi, Siġġiewi.
This is being done with the aim of protecting the safety of the public as much as possible due to falling rocks. The measures are being taken by the Works Department within the Ministry for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects.
In 2013, a steel net was installed near the rocks in the area of Għar Lapsi, which was recently noted to have deteriorated. This was partially caused by rocks of various sizes falling from the cliff face and getting caught in the same net anchored to the rock.
The engineers who had installed the net were recently asked to go on site and analyse the state of the rocks and the net.
Following this visit, it was confirmed that the structural bolts were still in a good state, but the steel net needed to be replaced by a stainless steel net so as to prevent the need for it to be changed again for as long as possible. The caves and ‘west cove’ are highly exposed to erosion.
The Works Department has reached an agreement with Italian brand Geomont SRL, to remove the steel net on site as well as all the rock along ‘west cove’ which has fallen throughout the past five years.
Following this, a protective stainless steel net will be installed.
"The Ministry for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects, while understanding that several individuals have already begun swimming this year, feels that due to the potential for danger, this intervention is necessary to reduce the risk as much as possible.
"While everything is being done to ensure that this work is completed in the shortest time possible, it is important for the public to be aware of the existing dangers in this area and to observe the signs on site as well as the general environment," the ministry said.
Siggiewi mayor Alessa Psaila Zammit said that while security was essential, she had appealed to the authorities to tap funds to find a solution as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, as Transport Malta was investing in embellishing part of the Lapsi Road, the council was rebuilding the public lavatories.