Lack of barriers along the R24 concerns community
Provincial governments need to provide protective barriers such as fencing between motorways and residential areas
The lack of fencing along the R24 has raised fears and concerns among community members and councillors.
For years, the absence of barrier fencing on either side of the R24 has been a sore point for the community.
The situation has become worse over the years as fencing is damaged and not replaced and in some instances stolen.
St Margaret Road resident Norma-Jean Pienaar said recently she had noticed an increase in people walking on the highway since the fencing was removed.
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“We are becoming concerned that this is going to become an issue for not only traffic on the highway but also as a security risk to us residents.
“It is much easier to idle in the yellow lane and rob a house and disappear on the highway.”
Ward 18 Ald Heather Hart said, “The situation is really ridiculous. In terms of the law provincial governments need to provide protective barriers such as fencing between motorways and residential areas.”
Hart explained that although the worsening problem has existed for close to 10 years, the barrier fencing along St Margaret Road was taken approximately six months ago.
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Along the R24 East and West bound between the Edenvale and Barbara road bridges there are several portions, where Minuach Road and Herman Street run parallel to the highway, there is a lack of fencing.
Hart said after informing Gautrans about the lack of Armco barricades on the R24 eastbound in 2022 a section was installed which now protects some of the residential properties from vehicles which may veer off the R24.
Although this section was installed Hart called for additional Armco barrier and fencing along St Margaret Road where some of the properties remain unprotected from traffic on the R24.
Hart said because of the lack of fencing:
• Taxis and transport vehicles to stop along the highway to pick up or drop off commuters.
• Community members can cross the R24 freely from either side.
• Properties are vulnerable to criminals who might make use of the lack of fencing as a quick getaway.
Hart said instead of metal fencing erected she would ideally like to see concrete palisade walls.
In her belief, this would be less likely to be stolen for scrap metal and harder to push over.
“This solution all depends on the amount of funds available to the province,” said Hart.
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She estimated that it would cost several million to rehabilitate the section between the Barbara and Edenvale road bridges.
“At the very least, we need new Armco barrier and barrier fencing from the start of St Margaret Road towards the Edenvale Road Bridge.”
Another contributing factor to the lack of protective fencing along the R24 Eastbound was the Rand Water project, which started in 2019 parallel to the R24 and Minuach Road.
The project, which started in 2019, was implemented to replace a leaking three-kilometre portion of the H5 Pipeline, which runs from Hurleyvale to Kelvin.
Rand Water previously informed the NEWS the barrier fencing would be replaced after the project’s completion.
In light of the lack of improvements, Hart said she and the community are pleading with authorities to take action to protect the community.
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In light of these concerns, a petition requesting action from the Gauteng Premier and the MEC of Roads and Transport to allocate funding for the necessary barrier will be handed over this month.
A request for comment was sent to Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport as well as Rand Water. At the time of going to print no comment was received.
