WARD 33 Councillor Fran Kristopher has called for a better system to be put in place to expedite much-needed repairs to eThekwini’s dug-up and pothole-riddled roads which have become a danger and pain to motorists and pedestrians alike.
Kristopher said the lack of communication between departments within the municipality has left motorists and residents exposed to dangerous roads and pavements. “My fight is this – a better system needs to be put in place whereby as soon as the Water Department is finished with a fix – Auxiliary should be on stand-by, as surely every log is tracked, and reported back, based on the extent of the excavation.”
Kristopher explained that a three-pronged system is employed by the City to ensure that repairs are completed whenever there is a fault or a leak. She said, “The Water Department will send a contractor to fix the leak, so if excavation is required a TLB will be requested, and the contractors fix the fault, a leak, or pipe burst. The problem is when the auxiliary is supposed to come in and cover the hole to make the area safe. The Roads Department is the last and final step of the process, whereby they come through and compact the area with a crusher and resurface the road. Between water and auxiliary, I am slowly discovering that this is no communication. Our roads are in a shocking state.”
Also Read: City tardy in fixing Morningside road
The eThekwini Municipality said there has been a shortage of asphalt, leading to a backlog in filling potholes and undertaking road repairs. Municipal spokesperson Mdu Ncalane said that the City’s Roads and Stormwater Maintenance (RSWM) Department is taking significant steps to address the ongoing pothole challenge.
“To expedite repairs and minimise disruptions, the RSWM Department has recently appointed three additional asphalt service providers. This strategic move, combined with the dedication of the Municipality’s internal teams, will enable the City to tackle the backlog of pothole repairs more efficiently. The Municipality’s focus is on addressing the most severe potholes and critical re-instatements to improve road conditions for residents,” said Ncalane.
Kristopher acknowledged the shortage of asphalt throughout the City and said other ward councillors are also complaining about the status of their roads, with some stating they have been on standby for over six months.
Also Read: Massive sinkhole in Durban CBD closes busy roads
“We are not even addressing the topic of developing sinkholes and potholes; which is also a major concern as most of our road problems have been due to pipe leaks. Our aging infrastructure and lack of upgrades has also been quite a challenge, as it feels like the City is crumbling right at our feet and the departments assigned the jobs do not have the supply and resources to save us,” added Kristopher.
Work to rehabilitate some of the roads within Ward 33 has begun. At the end of October, work commenced along Lamont Road and Sir Duncan Road with an expected completion date of November 28.
For more from Berea Mail, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok.
Click to subscribe to our newsletter – here
