After years of no fencing on Minuach Road, barrier fencing is being erected between the R24 and the road.

Ward 92 Clr Kade Guerreiro said Rand Water (RW) is doing the installation after another of its projects.

In 2019, RW replaced a section of the H5 pipeline parallel to the R24 that was leaking between Hurlyvale and Kelvin. The project spanned 3km.

During that project, RW removed the barrier fencing between the R24 and Minuach Road, raising concerns about crime in the Buurendal, Highway Gardens and Hurlyvale communities.

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Guerreiro said installing the fencing started in early January.

Ward 18 Clr Heather Hart explained that last year’s G20 Summit saw the Gauteng Department for Roads and Transport repair the Apollo lights on the R24 corridor, the first time in six years that the lights between the Barbara Road and the Edenvale Road bridges worked.

Hart said the Armco barrier on both sides of the R24 was also replaced, but more needed to be installed near St Margaret Road.

“With the start of this project, we are doing much better on the Edenvale side of the R24,” said Guerreiro.

“From what I have been told, the plan is to install fencing from the Barbara Road Bridge all the way to the Edenvale Road Bridge.”

He said this fencing would prevent pedestrians from crossing the highway and taxis from stopping on it to drop off or collect passengers.

“It should also reduce crime in the Buurendal, Highway Gardens and Hurlyvale communities,” said Guerreiro.

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Once the fencing was installed on the Edenvale side of the R24, Guerreiro said fencing would be installed on the Meadowdale side.

“It has taken several years, but we are happy,” said Guerreiro, adding that the old remaining fencing would be removed.

He said the municipality planned to erect signs reminding motorists to drive safely and reduce speed on Minuach Road.

“This is a win. We need to thank all the departments involved. It’s been a few years since there was no fencing, and it caused grey hairs, but from Clr Hart and me, we are happy and grateful,” said Guerreiro.

Hart said the site looked a mess last year, but had drastically improved.

“At the moment, things look positive. I am waiting to see if the project will go all the way to Edenvale Road,” said Hart.

“If it does not, we will have to push for the completion of the project.”

Hart is delighted that the project has begun, saying it was a good start to the new year.