In recent weeks, the Public Works Department has begun regeneration works in the area of Għar Lapsi, in Siġġiewi. This follows the significant damage the site suffered a few months ago during Storm Harry, which struck the country and caused major damage, affecting access to the beach as well as the slipway that was mainly used by fishermen.
The Department's work began following the conclusion of the public consultation titled “Għar Lapsi – Back to the People", where the general sentiment was that people want Għar Lapsi to remain simple and preserved as much as possible in its original state.
Alongside these works, the Public Works Department is also preparing to rebuild the staircase that leads to the other beach known as Għereq Miżun. The investment amounts to €2 million.
At the same time, apart from the ongoing works in the area, in recent weeks the Public Works Department has also installed solar-powered street lighting poles. This forms part of an agreement with 20 local councils in Malta, through which around 400 new solar-powered lighting poles will be installed.
In his comments, Parliamentary Secretary for Public Works Omar Farrugia said that “What we are seeing in Għar Lapsi demonstrates that we deliver on what we promise. We are already witnessing the first phases of works that have begun and that will lead us to fulfil our commitment and promise that Għar Lapsi will be returned to the public within the stipulated timeframe."
Meanwhile, Julian Borg, Mayor of Siġġiewi, emphasised that together with the Parliamentary Secretariat for Public Works and the Department under its remit, work has continued with the main aim of restoring access to this area.
The architect responsible for the project, Mario Ellul, explained that trenching works and the clearing of debris left by the storm are currently underway. In addition, cables are being laid to repair and improve the electrical system, alongside detailed geological studies of the rock in the area at depths of 10 metres, 12 metres, and 18 metres.
The next phase will now begin, involving the reconstruction of the ramp providing access to the beach, with the ramp currently being filled with concrete. Once this ramp is completed, workers will proceed down to the beach at Għar Lapsi using smaller machinery to continue rebuilding the damaged pathways and to remove the collapsed concrete and sections of the cliff that gave way.
