Damage to historical cistern caused by roadworks reported to heritage watchdog

Road widening works at Tal-Balal have prompted concern on the fate of an old vaulted cistern found on a farm opposite the GP Borg batching plant along the road from San Ġwann to Naxxar.

Sources told MaltaToday that the works have obliterated the old style archways and the cistern’s ceiling built in the traditional way with xorok (stone slabs).  

Photographs taken during the works also suggest the removal of the top part of the structure. The stones that used to make up the arches and the ceiling are still on site.

Nationalist MEP candidate Michael Briguglio has written to the Superintendence for Cultural Heritage to solicit action on the damage done to the “centuries old cistern” during  rushed works “which skipped normal planning procedure”.

But a spokesperson for Infrastructure Malta told MaltaToday that these underground water reservoirs are being covered with “new ceilings so that they can continue to be used by their current owners or tenants”.

The Superintendence has not been consulted before the commencement of the works which started before a planning application was even submitted.

In other cases where old cisterns are found in sites earmarked for development, the Superintendence usually calls for the preservation of such structures. Wherever this is not possible these structures are recorded.

An archway uncovered after the ceiling was removed

Infrastructure Malta is currently upgrading Triq tal-Balal, a major road link between Naxxar, Gharghur, Iklin and San Gwann, to add two new lanes, pavements and cycling-friendly infrastructure and to improve the efficiency and safety of the roundabouts along the way.

According to a spokesperson Infrastructure Malta is currently discussing the on-going works with the landowners, tenants and businesses of the area to provide them with the necessary support and minimise disruptions to their operations.

All agricultural features included in the new road alignment’s footprint, such as rubble walls, are being rebuilt along the new edge of the carriageways. 

“Any soil excavated from the area is being retained in the same fields, in agreement with the owners or tenants who cultivate them. All excavated soil is being sieved on site to separate any rocks, waste or other materials. Rocks extracted from this process are reused in the building of the new rubble walls”.

The alleged damage to the cistern is not the first case of environmental degradation resulting from the road works to be reported.  

Five owners of land in Gharghur have denounced that fig trees and bay laurel trees located on their property have been destroyed during works carried out in their property without their knowledge.

The Environmental and Resources Authority, which was consulted after works had already been commenced, has exempted the project from an Environment Impact Assessment noting that the environmental impacts from the development are not likely to be significant. ERA had previously expressed its concern that works had commenced without permission.

Works at Tal-Balal are being considered urgent to reduce existing difficulties in commutes to and from the Mater Dei Hospital, the University of Malta and other nearby commercial, industrial and residential zones such as Gharghur, Tat-Targa, Birguma, Madliena and Ibragg.