Għar Lapsi regeneration after Storm Harry damage to cost €2 million
Public consultation reveals people want the area to remain "simple" and preserved in its original state
Restoring Għar Lapsi following the devastation of January’s Storm Harry will cost €2 million, as a public consultation concluded people want the area to remain “simple and preserved in its original state”.
The Public Works Department started regeneration works in the area in recent weeks following the damage caused by the storm which impacted access to the popular beach as well as the slipway that was mainly used by fishermen.
Part of the cliff collapsed some days after the January 20 storm when powerful waves decimated the area. Carmen's Bar was forced to close its doors following the damage sustained in the storm and is now seeking to relocate elsewhere.
The works started following a public consultation titled “Għar Lapsi – Back to the People” which generated around 170 submissions.
Alongside these works, the Public Works Department is also preparing to rebuild the staircase that leads to the other beach known as Għereq Miżun.
Parliamentary Secretary for Public Works Omar Farrugia said that the first phases of works have begun and Għar Lapsi “will be returned to the public within the stipulated timeframe.”
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.
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.