Deteriorating infrastructure in Eastleigh takes a toll on business district

The continued deterioration of roads and stormwater infrastructure in Eastleigh has raised concerns for community member Michelle Ashburner and local business Cable Mack.

The lack of maintenance, improvement and development of the Eastleigh business district has raised questions about the City of Ekurhuleni’s (CoE) commitment to improving business districts and ensuring businesses remain in Ekurhuleni.

According to Ashburner, a consultant for Cable Mack, pavements and stormwater infrastructure have been in disrepair for over a year.

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Heavy vehicles crushed and broke the concrete slabs covering stormwater drains along Edendale Road while similar vehicles knocked over protective bollards.

Not only do the damaged stormwater drains hinder the water flow, but the open holes pose a risk to pedestrians and cyclists who use the pavements.

“Whatever structures in place have fallen to wreck and ruin.

“Businesses running in the area have to deal with broken pavements for over a year,” said Ashburner.

She said Cable Mack replaced the concrete slabs of the stormwater drains on numerous occasions, however, the metal frames which support slabs have become buckled and damaged.

“Because Edendale Road is a major thoroughfare, trucks come up the road. However, when they realise they made a wrong turn, they use the pavements to do U-turns instead of driving around the block.”

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“The trucks with their huge tonnage are damaging our pavements and knocking the bollards over.”

Ashburner explained as a resident of Edenvale, this has been a longstanding issue.

“The situation of disrepair has existed for years. There is no accountability, responsibility communication or regard for residents and business from the municipality.”

Ashburner said the CoE needed to ensure it cares for the environment where businesses are located.

According to Ward 18 Clr Ald Heather Hart, part of the problem stems from the lack of resources at the Edenvale Roads Depot.

According to Hart, the Edenvale Roads Depot is responsible for seven wards stretching from Boksburg, Jet Park, Elandsfontein, Klopperpark, Edenvale and Bedfordview.

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However, currently, there is only one vehicle to attend to these areas.

Hart said the depot should have 17 functioning vehicles.

A request for comment was sent to the City of Ekurhuleni, the city manager’s office and the office of the executive mayor on February on February 12, requesting comment by February 14.

At the time of going to print, only the mayor’s office responded, informing the NEWS the matter was receiving attention.