Part of the St Julian’s promenade by Balluta Bay has been closed for maintenance, with the structure currently in a dire state of disrepair.

A visit by the Times of Malta on Monday revealed crumbling concrete and rusting metalwork along the underside of the stretch of promenade, which overhangs the sea opposite the church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.

St Julian’s mayor Guido Dalli said the council had brought the danger to the attention of the authorities months ago and had taken the opportunity during a meeting last week to raise the issue with urgency once again.

“After what happened in Genoa [where a bridge collapse killed 43 this month], we shouldn’t be taking any risks,” Mr Dalli said.

After what happened in Genoa, we shouldn’t be taking any risks

The mayor added that the promenade section, built just 15 years ago, had been deteriorating for some time, with water damage being the most likely cause.

A similarly-overhanging section of the promenade directly opposite is also undergoing repairs.

Infrastructure minister Ian Borg said previously that the Department of Works was collaborating with the council, Transport Malta and Infrastructure Malta to investigate the cause of the damage and carry out the necessary works.

The works will include strengthening the colonnades and arches over the sea, as well as carrying out an inspection of the other structures along the promenade.

The stretch of promenade happens to be just metres away from the Barracuda restaurant, where several diners were injured in 2016 when its balcony collapsed into the sea.

A section of the St Julian’s promenade built just 15 years ago has been deteriorating for some time – water damage being the most likely cause.