JRA trying to resolve digital sign board mess

The aim of the sign boards is to warn people about the speed limit and impending danger of school children.

In an article previously published, Mr John Broodryk, the principal of Sir Edmund Hillary School, pleaded for traffic calming measures. He questioned what needed to happen for council to take the safety of the thousands of children who use Cumberland Road on a weekly basis, seriously.

Several children have been knocked down over the years and were either injured or killed by speeding motorists.

Several school principals pleaded for action in the past, but to no avail. Mr Broodryk said the measures which were put in place, such as a solar powered warning sign, have been of no help.

This road sign has not been working for a long time.

Mr Sam Modiba, the spokesperson for JRA, said efforts are being made to resolve the matter regarding the digital sign boards.

“There are contractual matters that are being disputed and legal processes have to be allowed to take their course to bring the matter to its conclusion,” he said.

He added that an assessment of Cumberland Road was done and action was taken. JRA installed signalised pedestrian crossings at two of the primary schools along Cumberland Road, as well as the required road markings. Additional warning signs were also installed.

Mr Modiba added that speed humps are not suitable on high-order roads carrying a high volume of traffic, given the safety risks and effect on mobility.

“One of the main problems associated with speed humps is the varied effect on various sized vehicles and the discomfort it can cause, especially to passengers in public transport vehicles and emergency vehicles.

“The JRA supports the installation of speed law enforcement cameras and raised speed tables at existing crossings,” said Mr Modiba. Speed tables are similar to speed humps, except they include a flat section on top. They are sometimes constructed with decorative surface materials.

“Raised crosswalks are speed tables marked as a pedestrian crossing, which allows pedestrians to cross without stepping down and up between the curb and the road. Truncated domes should be used to demarcate the transition for pedestrians with vision impairments. Speed tables permit slightly higher motorist speeds and smoother transitions than speed humps do,” said Mr Modiba.

However, the local community will have to wait for the implementation of these raised pedestrian crossings.

Mr Modiba said these crossings are constructed as part of the complete street programme, which is either incorporated in road projects being implemented, or through the dedicated allocation for the programme that commenced this financial year.

“The current year’s programme will focus on Region D, in greater Soweto. It will extend to other parts of the city from the 2014/15 financial year. Priorities in each region will still be developed through stakeholder consultations to inform the implementation programme over the years. It is therefore the outcome of these consultations that will determine when the requested raised pedestrian crossing will be constructed,” said Mr Modiba. Superintendent Edna Mamonyane, the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department’s (JMPD) spokesperson, said requests for speed law enforcement cameras will be considered if the situation warrants it.

She said the community should write letters explaining the need for these cameras to the JMPD Director of Licensing and prosecutions, Director Gerrie Gerneke.

Once the letters are received, the need for the cameras will be investigated. A survey will be conducted and a decision made.

For further information, contact Mr Gerneke’s office on 011 490-1513. E-mail your request to gerrieg@joburg.org.za