Letter: Major safety concerns as traffic lights removed

Amanda Goosen writes by email:
I am writing this in the hope that we can reach someone in the Roads and Traffic Department with regards to the R23/Heidelberg Road crossing Dalpark Ext 1/Minnebron.

All robots have been taken away, not even a stop sign replaced.

There have been multiple accidents claiming lives at this intersection traffic coming from Minnebron side, traffic exiting Dalpark Ext 1 and traffic coming from Carnival City side, as well as from Heidelberg side.

Can we please reach out to the businesses and citizens of Brakpan and surrounding areas to assist to get these robots back and working.

The worst part is, recently just after 06:00, there was a huge crash again because of a vehicle not even considering to stop.

ALSO READ: Bedelende en verwaarloosde jeug is rede tot kommer

By 06:45 the traffic was so backed up and, with no pointsman at Carnival City again, there was traffic backing up past the Dalpark Ext 1 entrance.

We urgently need some assistance with this seeing that the robots at Carnival City and that of the entrance at Dalpark Ext 1 and Minnebron from Heidelberg Road have been taken out completely.

There were quotes obtained by the Dalpark Homeowners Association to take over the robot at the Dalpark Ext 1 but it is just not doable for only the Dalpark 1 residents.

It is also not a private road just being used by Dalpark Ext 1.

I personally think that Ekurhuleni should assist herein. Why are we paying rates and taxes and vehicle licence fees, just to be killed in a car accident because of negligence from our municipality?

ALSO READ: Moeilike, winderige dag vir visvang by Verre Oos-Rand Hengelklub se maandelikse kompetisie

Can Ekurhuleni please assist in getting these robots back and working. Although it is still a danger as some motorists do not comply with road safety, this can definitely save a lot of damages and lives.

I am reaching out as a normal citizen to please assist in either getting this message to the correct people in the municipality or someone that can solve this issue.

We as citizens of South Africa have the right to safety and this decision of Ekurhuleni to remove robots on such dangerous roads is definitely depriving our rights.

Editor’s note: The provincial government is accountable for the maintenance of the R23.

Comment requested from the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport was not received at the time of publication.