Residents of what used to be a quiet street in Mqabba are considering moving out of their homes, having been exhausted by the noise and danger of construction trucks driving through.

“Our houses shake each time a heavy truck drives by and, since the street has no pavement, we cannot step out of the house for fear a truck will run us over,” one resident said.

Narrow Triq Valletta has signs that ban heavy vehicles from driving through, and there is a speed limit of 25 kilometres an hour.

Both are repeatedly ignored and trucks drive through for hours on end throughout the week.

The residents said they repercussions if they speak up. Last week, two facades were defaced with black liquid and residents expressed fears that the vandalism stemmed from complaints they had already made about the situation.

Read - Vandals attack historic buildings following residents' construction complaints

“It seems someone is trying to pass on a message, to instil fear but they got the opposite reaction from the public as people have united to support those affected,” Mqabba mayor Charlene Muscat told Times of Malta. 

One resident said that when he tried to talk sense to a driver he reacted with threats of violence.

Drivers could easily hit someone walking in the street given the speed at which the trucks are driven, another resident said. “Are we just waiting for another tragedy to happen?”  

The trucks have also caused damage to property and cars.

“The majority of them are breaking around five laws each time they drive through this area – include breaching speed limits and not covering the debris from waste properly,” a resident said.

Residents also lamented the dust being caused by the trucks is affecting family members who suffer from frequent asthma attacks. 

The police are investigating the reports of last week’s vandalism.