Residents are growing increasingly frustrated over the deteriorating state of roads in Alberton, with a large pothole at the corner of New Quay Street and Second Avenue in Florentia becoming a symbol of the city’s growing maintenance backlog.

Ward councillor Tim Denny said the pothole has remained unrepaired for about seven months, with different municipal departments allegedly disputing who is responsible for fixing it.

“I have asked the Roads, Revenue and Water departments, and they all pass the buck,” said Denny.
He said the pothole continues to grow while residents wait for intervention, despite the recent approval of the city’s budget.

According to Denny, the issue is not isolated, with potholes across Alberton placing increasing pressureon the city’s roads department.

“Alberton residents are at their wits’ end over potholes. The backlog is so bad that the department cannot keep up with the workload. Although the new budget has been released, the overwhelming number of potholes outweighs the available asphalt and resources,” he said.

Denny believes the city should consider introducing a temporary measure allowing residents who are willing and able to repair potholes themselves, under an approved framework.

“We need the MMC to introduce a short-term memorandum to allow those residents who can to fill the potholes themselves,” he said.

The Alberton Record emailed the City of Ekurhuleni and the MMC responsible for Roads for comment on July 21 at 15:53 regarding the delay in repairing the pothole at New Quay Street and Second Avenue, the current pothole repair backlog, the impact of the newly approved budget on road maintenance, and whether the city would consider allowing residents to assist with pothole repairs under municipal supervision.

Their response will be published once received.

WATCH: Alberton Councillor Tim Denny slams Ekurhuleni’s warning to residents not to fix potholes