Blocked pavements a concern for resident
"The bottom line is that property owners do not own the pavement. They do not pay rates and taxes on the pavements, so they can’t block them."
Concerned community member Ms Jenny McCarthy claims that blocked pavements in the Edenglen area are a nuisance to pedestrians.
“I don’t find it acceptable at all that people block pedestrians from using pavements,” said Ms McCarthy.
The Edenvale resident said if pavements are blocked it forces pedestrians to walk in the road to get past the objects blocking their path.
The pavements have been blocked for as long as Ms McCarthy can remember.
Ms McCarthy said the way pavements are blocked can vary.
She said sometimes gardens extend from the boundary wall to the road or rocks are used to block pavements.
“I have no issue with community members having gardens on their pavements, in fact some look beautiful. I just want to emphasise the need for pathways on pavements,” said Ms McCarthy.
Ms McCarthy believes that by blocking pavements, community members are endangering the lives of pedestrians and motorists.
She said blocked pavements lead to pedestrians walking in the streets.
“People drive fast on our roads. We do not need even more chaos on the roads by forcing pedestrians to walk on the roads,” said Ms McCarthy.
She urged community members not to block pavements.
“The bottom line is that property owners do not own the pavement. They do not pay rates and taxes on the pavements, so they can’t block them,” said Ms McCarthy.
According to Ms McCarthy, she has not raised this issue with her local ward councillor.
Clr Heather Hart (ward 18) said the pavements are the property of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality.
She said despite residents not owning the pavements, property owners may beautify their pavements and protect the pavement if required.
“Pavements can be protected if community members feel pedestrians or motorists’ use of the pavement threatens the property and the property owners.”
Clr Hart said property owners may not relocate their driveways or turn the pavement into a parking space without the permission of the roads department.
“If any improvements are made to a pavement, property owners must ensure that the pavement can still be used by pedestrians and allow safe passage,” said Clr Hart.
If community members notice any pavement contraventions they can report it to the EMM centre on 0860 543 000.
A request for comment was sent to the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality’s Department of Communications to enquire about the legislation and regulations in connection to pavements and sidewalks.
At the time of going to print no comment had been received.
