Bedford Gardens residents raise Regent Street safety concerns
The City of Ekurhuleni has recorded the faded road signs on Regent Street in Bedfordview with aims to address them as part of the 2026/27 road signage maintenance programme, subject to available budget and prioritisation requirements.
One-way traffic violations and faded road markings have become a daily concern on Regent Street in Bedford Gardens.
Resident Erica Turner, who has lived in the area since 2005, said Regent Street is a one-way street running from west to east.
“However, anything goes. We swing both ways. Delivery scooters travel the wrong way, and cars and delivery vehicles ignore the one-way restriction and speed against the flow of traffic,” Turner said.
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She added that many elderly residents walk along the street and, believing it to be one-way, look only towards the west for oncoming traffic without expecting vehicles from the east.
Turner also noted that motorists often travel at high speed along the road over weekends, particularly when there is little traffic.
She believes the one-way restriction may be widely ignored because the zebra crossing and stop road markings have faded significantly. Turner suggested that the kerbs should also be painted in black and white to make the intersection more visible.
Just outside Bedford Gardens, a Telkom cable chamber has remained damaged since its cover was stolen during vandalism in October 2025.
Turner said anything that appears to have recycling value is quickly removed by scrap collectors.
“This box has been stripped several times. They don’t use this facility anymore for landlines, but there is more than just copper cables running through it. The thieves also stole the concrete cover, leaving a huge hole. Fortunately, not many people walk there,” she said.
Residents have made efforts to keep the surrounding garden clean, but Turner said that when the area is well maintained, homeless people often gather there and leave litter behind.
“They even hang their washing, including blankets, over the thorn hedge,” she said, adding that this attracts rats and mice.
In an attempt to discourage people from sleeping there, residents placed tree cuttings in the area.
However, Turner said people simply placed cardboard over the branches and continued sleeping there.
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She said these concerns have been reported to Ward 20 councillor Jill Humphreys, but acknowledged there is only so much the councillor can do.
Humphreys said she has sent numerous emails over the years regarding problems on Regent Street.
“EMPD conducts operations, but they are seldom effective,” she said.
Humphreys believes clearer road signs and refreshed road markings are needed.
“EMPD must be more effective. Taxis are also taking huge liberties by making U-turns, parking wherever they want and driving the wrong way down the one-way street. They should all be heavily fined.
“There is definitely a need for proper signage, road markings and stricter enforcement. EMPD needs to do its job,” she said.
Humphreys added that she is frequently told EMPD has only one vehicle available when she requests assistance.
“I feel extremely aggrieved on behalf of the residents. They pay a great deal for services they are not receiving,” she said.
On July 29, the City of Ekurhuleni confirmed it is aware of the faded road markings and that they have been recorded for attention.
City spokesperson Zweli Dlamini said the work would form part of the 2026/27 road signage and road-marking maintenance programme, subject to budget availability and prioritisation.
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“Once the depot has access to the allocated funding required to procure road-marking paint, the current financial year’s road-marking programme will be implemented.
“However, it is important to note that the depot is addressing a significant backlog that has accumulated over several years. With the limited budget available, the depot is required to prioritise road-marking needs across all nine wards while progressively addressing outstanding requirements,” Dlamini said.
He added that litter on Regent Street had been cleared on July 23.
