Union Street in Alberton North is a hotspot for heavy vehicle accidents
Several business owners have raised concerns about trucks colliding on Union Street, Alberton North and the municipality doing nothing for over 10 years.
Business owners along Alberton North’s Union Street have observed an increase in heavy vehicles, which they believe is a fatality waiting to happen.
Heavily loaded and unloaded vehicles are said to become stuck daily along the length of the road, making it impossible for customers to gain access to businesses on that busy street.
The Alberton Record has received several complaints and has previously reported on these incidents. Yet, the problem persists with more accidents on Union Street. This has raised concerns from business owners who drive light vehicles.
The high gradient of the street causes brake failure and, in most cases, trailer instability. This is when the truck jackknifes.
Companies demand quick action to address and rectify this long-standing complaint because this situation jeopardises the safety and well-being of the community. The regular breakdowns of trucks exacerbate the traffic situation, causing major inconveniences.
According to a business owner in the area, what is most concerning for them is that they have been sending emails for over 10 years and have received no response from the City of Ekurhuleni (CoE) in addressing this matter.
“The current condition of the road surface, which was tarred only two years ago, has been consistently deteriorating because of these truck incidents. This situation is particularly problematic for smaller vehicles not equipped with 4×4 capabilities. Unfortunately, these drivers are left with few options as the non-existing pavements cannot be used to navigate around the broken-down trucks,” he said.
On April 4, the Alberton Record received a complaint that heavy vehicles collided at 15:15 on April 3, and the trucks that collided obstructed most of the street.
The Alberton Record again received another complaint on April 8, at 06:00, about another incident where a truck blocked the entire street.
On May 3, the Alberton Record received another complaint that an accident involving three trucks had occurred and inconvenienced the businesses in the hub and its customers.
The Alberton Record has contacted the EMPD media liaison officer, Kobeli Mokheseng.
According to Mokheseng, the EMPD communication department has escalated the matter to the Alberton precinct, where it was supposed to be addressed.
“It must be noted that Union Street and other surrounding streets are in an industrial hub and it is expected for the street to be busy.
“However, I will also escalate the matter to the regional department to find out if they have been monitoring the street as promised,” Mokheseng said.
In recent years, the Alberton North industrial area has suffered a decline in service delivery.
Businesses are considering moving out of the neighbourhood, and some have already done so.
The general assumption is it is becoming increasingly difficult to make a living.
