Traffic, parking issues cause stir on Woburn Avenue

The illegal blocking and reserving of public parking, disruption of traffic flow and safety concerns when off-loading and picking up school children on Woburn Avenue have become the source of a tiff between a resident and the Dalpark Learning Academy.

Writing to the Benoni City Times, the resident, who wanted to remain anonymous, said representatives of the academy almost stopped him from using empty public parking while on Woburn Avenue to apply for a smart ID for his paraplegic son at Home Affairs across the road from the school, on January 23.

“Upon arriving, I noticed two vacant parking bays with cones around them. After ensuring there were no obstacles or markings restricting parking, I moved one cone and proceeded to park,” he wrote.

But an assumed school representative approached him and said the parking was reserved for the academy’s staff.

“I disputed this, citing the lack of clear signage, and told him that reserving and blocking parking spaces by the public is illegal based on the CoE’s by-laws. He placed a cone in the middle of the parking. I proceeded to park and drove over the cone.

“After completing the application, I returned to my vehicle with my son. Suddenly, four men confronted me, who made threatening remarks,” said Anonymous.

School’s comment

School director Logan Kistnasami said they never had parking issues until the Department of Home Affairs Benoni moved there.

“Home Affairs was not here before. Our school has been on Woburn Avenue for 14 years, and we never had these issues until Home Affairs moved here,” he said.

Asked if designating public parking to the school violated the city’s by-laws, he said they had nowhere else to park.

Also Read: Police sensitise learners

“We spoke to the metro to reserve some parking for us, but they couldn’t help,” Kistnasami said.

Traffic and safety concerns

On January 31, the publication visited the street to see the traffic flow during drop-off and pick-up times between 07:00 and 08:00 and 14:00 and 14:30.

At both times, the left and centre lanes were blocked by scholar transport and private cars, with only the right lane open to traffic.

With no child crossing signs, a man dressed in an orange reflector stopped cars to help learners cross to the other side while motorists hooted in frustration.

Kistanasami said he understands motorists’ frustrations and pleaded for patience because the traffic is only disrupted for 30 minutes in the mornings (07:30 to 08:00) and afternoons (14:00 to 14:30).

On the safety risks of no child crossing signs, he said, “We’ve asked the EMPD to get us a pedestrian crossing for two years. There are certain times when we have the police to help. Otherwise, teachers and security help the children to cross. We’ve never had any incidents of children being hit by a car.”

Asked about the open space behind the school next to the Benoni Plaza as a possible solution to the issues, Kistnasami said, “We offered to buy it from the CoE. They haven’t responded.”

CoE responds

Municipal spokesperson Zweli Dlamini said the EMPD is aware of the school and the traffic congestion, which is why they often assist.

He said they are unaware of attempts by the school to engage the municipality over a pedestrian crossing, adding that residents aren’t allowed to hinder or obstruct traffic flow on public roads.

“Hindering or obstructing the free flow of traffic is not allowed as per the National Traffic Act of 1996. However, learners must get an education. The issue is how we balance the two instead of advocating for one over the other.

“A resident is not allowed to control traffic. This is the duty of the EMPD and traffic wardens. However, in some instances, we must appreciate the initiative but also make it clear that it’s not recommended,” Dlamini said.

Also Read: School route a dangerous and muddy one for these learners