Alrode South pothole crisis worsens despite initiative

Alrode South continues to struggle with worsening potholes despite efforts by local businesses to address the issue.

The Better Alrode South campaign, launched by 27 local companies which raised over R135 000 for repairs, has taken action. However, slow municipal intervention and an insufficient budget to permanently resolve the problem have hampered these proactive measures.

The potholes have been a persistent issue for more than 10 years, with business owners bearing the brunt of damage to vehicles and infrastructure.

Despite the CoE promising to allocate R500 000 in 2023 for pothole repairs across the city, Alrode South appears to have been overlooked, forcing business owners to take matters into their own hands.

A community-led response

Frustrated by the municipal lack of action, local companies SA Polyhammers, Hi Tech Mag Repairs and Polyroads have united to tackle the issue.

The Better Alrode South initiative focuses on fixing the potholes and giving residents sustainable temporary employment.

Dean Fegan, the director of SA Polyhammers, said that while the potholes are a municipal issue, the businesses suffer the most.

“As much as this is a municipal problem, we are affected daily by the potholes. This is more than just patching potholes; it’s about creating jobs and contributing to the local economy,” he said.

A slow-moving machine

Despite the businesses’ significant efforts, the municipality’s response has been sluggish.

Ward 94 Clr Samantha Nair told the Alberton Record the city’s challenge is allocating sufficient resources to tackle the potholes.

Nair confirmed that despite the previously promised R500 000, the city has again set another budget to deal with the issue. She will advise when the city will attend to the matter once she has the details.

“The pothole problem not only faces Alrode South but the whole of Alberton. I have a long list of potholes that need to be patched only in Alrode. I want to see this pothole issue over and done with, but the CoE’s Roads and Storm Water department seems it is dragging its feet,” Nair said.

However, with no immediate resolution in sight, businesses continue to work tirelessly to fill the gap left by the municipality’s delayed response.

A long-term commitment

The Better Alrode South initiative proves that communities can take the initiative when local governments fall short.

As the project moves forward, more businesses are urged to join to ensure the continued improvement of Alrode South’s infrastructure.

With over R135 000 raised and a team of businesses on the ground, the hope is that this initiative will become a model for other areas facing similar challenges.

For businesses and residents wanting to contribute to the initiative, Fegan encourages them to get in touch.

“We’re committed to seeing this project through until all the potholes are fixed, and we invite more businesses to join us in making Alrode South a safer, more reliable place to work and live,” Fegan said.

The hope is that with continued community efforts and perhaps more future municipal involvement, Alrode South will be an example of how public-private partnerships can overcome infrastructure challenges that have long plagued local businesses.

For more information on how to contribute, call Fegan on 071 482 0051.