Works on a section of the historic Victoria Lines in Għargħur have been halted after concerns were raised over the use of concrete along the protected route.The Superintendence of Cultural Heritage ordered the suspension following objections from the Ramblers’ Association, which argued that the materials being used did not match those approved in the project’s planning permit as reported by Times of Malta.Photos shared online sparked widespread criticism after showing concrete and metal mesh being laid along the pathway, with heritage activists and environmental groups questioning whether the works were appropriate for one of Malta’s most significant historic landmarks.The Għargħur Local Council has defended the project, insisting that the concrete is only being used as a structural base and not as the final surface.Mayor Francesca Attard said the existing asphalt layer had deteriorated over time, creating potholes and subsidence issues that needed to be addressed before the planned limestone finish could be installed.However, Ramblers’ Association president Ingram Bondin disagreed, arguing that the approved plans called for a different foundation and that introducing concrete into the structure breaches the permit.The dispute has reignited wider concerns about the use of modern construction materials in Malta’s rural and historic landscapes, with groups including Malta Underground and Friends of the Victoria Lines Trail also voicing opposition.The stretch in question forms part of the 12-kilometre Victoria Lines fortifications, a late-19th-century British military defence system that today serves as one of Malta’s most popular walking routes.For now, works have been officially suspended until further notice, with the future of the project set to depend on the outcome of the heritage authority’s review.What do you make of this?•