Edenvale abandoned worksites leave residents facing safety hazards

Numerous unrehabilitated and abandoned worksites throughout Edenvale have raised concerns from Ward 19 Ald Bill Rundle.

The sites, which range from open stormwater drains, potholes, dangerously deep holes on the sidewalk and unrehabilitated water leaks, can be found throughout Edenvale, as was evident when Bedfordview and Edenvale News accompanied Rundle on a recent tour of the town.

“One of the biggest problems is worksites being abandoned before the properly or completely rehabilitated.

“Not only does this pose a danger to pedestrians, especially when the work site is on a pavement, but it creates hazards for the community and deters investors from wanting to invest and grow Edenvale,” said Rundle.

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Rundle said that, in some cases, the lack of rehabilitation at worksites is the result of disputes between the city’s departments over which one is responsible for restoring the site.

He said many work sites remain un-rehabilitated for months.

“There are no turnaround times; contractors or the municipality’s staff get there when they get there.
“What greatly concerns me is the abandonment of worksites without providing the necessary rehabilitation,” said Rundle.

He said it demonstrates a complete lack of planning.

“The lack of planning is followed by a lack of appointed service providers, no resources such as tar, a lack of vehicles, and sometimes there is a lack of staff.”

Rundle said if he was running one of the departments, once the repair was done, he would inform the respective team to conduct repairs and rehabilitation and follow up.

“As a person in management, I would get out of my office and come and inspect the site.”

According to Rundle, one of the biggest issues is that there is a lack of supervision.

“The metro does not inspect the roads and the service points; although we are using Edenvale as an example, this is happening across the city.

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“Unless we report it and escalate it, many department heads don’t know what’s wrong in the town or the city.”

A request for comment was sent to the City of Ekurhuleni questions such as whether the city lacked the necessary tools, equipment or resources to conduct site rehabilitation.

The city was also asked what the steps for work site rehabilitation were and whether supervisors from local depots assessed completed sites.
Comment was requested by August 6 at 16:00 at the time of going to print; no comment was received.