Unruly road users a concern
“I have reported this matter to EMPD but I have not received a response as of yet,”
Ward 19 Alderman Bill Rundle believes more needs to be done by law enforcement to prevent reckless driving on Elm Street.
According to Rundle, his concerns stem from an increase in taxi drivers and motorists disobeying the rules of the road.
He said the section of Elm Street most affected by reckless driving is located between the intersection of Elm and Hendrik Potgieter streets and Linksfield Road.
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Rundle highlighted the following issues:
• Taxi drivers not making use of the Hendrik Potgieter Street slipway and instead of turning left from the turning right lanes at the Elm and Hendrik Potgieter streets intersection.
• Taxi drivers driving in the oncoming lane, from the intersection of Elm and Hendrik Potgieter streets, so that they can get to the Elm Street and Linksfield Road intersection during peak hours.
• Taxis driving on and using the pavements along Elm Street as an informal taxi rank.
• Taxi drivers using the turning left slipway at the Elm Street and Linksfield Road intersection as an informal taxi rank to pick up and drop off passengers.
“I have reported this matter to EMPD but I have not received a response as of yet,” Rundle Told the NEWS on March 23.
“This has been an issue for the last six months at least.”
In addition to raising concerns about the behaviour of taxi drivers, Rundle reminded Edenvale motorists to obey the rules of the road.
Rundle said some motorists, when leaving the fuel station on the corner of Elm Street and Linksfield Road, through the slipway on Elm Street cross over a solid white line instead of using the recently installed intersection a short distance away.
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He said this creates unnecessary danger for other motorists using the roads.
“I have been told that before the official handover of the new shopping centre is done more road signs and markings will be installed on Elm Street leading up to the intersection on Linksfield Road,” said Rundle.
“One of the reasons Elm Road was developed was because of the new development on Linksfield Road,” explained Rundle.
“Not only has the development brought jobs to the town but it eliminated illegal dumping, which previously occurred on the open piece of land.”
A request for comment was sent to the EMPD on March 24 requesting comment by March 25 at 14:00.
At the time of going to print no comment was received.
