Oversized vehicles blamed for poor road conditions in Bedfordview
“Our narrow peri-urban roads are being abused and damaged by the onset of literal fleets of these enormous vehicles in our suburbs," said Jill Humphreys.
According to Ward 20 Clr Jill Humphreys, gigantic pantechnicons, articulated trucks, and buses are causing damage to the roads and infrastructure in Bedfordview.
“Our narrow peri-urban roads are being abused and damaged by the onset of literal fleets of these enormous vehicles in our suburbs.
“Despite signage and road markings on AG De Wit Drive, prohibiting entry onto Kloof for vehicles over 4t, these are ignored.
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“Vehicles of this size simply cannot turn into or around our narrow roads; so they merrily smash over the kerbs and pavements,” stated Humphreys.
She added that the Roads and Stormwater Department doesn’t have the funding nor the capacity to keep replacing the smashed storm drains and kerbs.
“Despite monumental efforts on the part of our community to tidy and fix where possible, it is simply not possible to keep up with this onslaught.
“The EMPD does occasional ticketing operations, but nowhere near enough to curb this destructive force. The obvious reason for this ever-increasing scourge is the collapse of the railways,” added Humphreys.
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She said businesses are forced to transport everything by road and there’s not enough space on the highways.
“Bedfordview lies in the centre of one of the biggest and busiest highway intersections in the country, Gillooly’s interchange.
“Frequent accidents and blockages are the order of the day so the trucks hop off in the hope of a shortcut through suburbs.
“We call on the minister of transport to fix the railways and allow our municipal towns and suburbs to return to quietude and manageable traffic.”
A media inquiry was sent to the CoE and the minister of transport by the time of going to print no comment was received.
