Safety measures, including new road markings, reflectors, warning signage and the replacement of the damaged Armco barrier, have been installed at a dangerous bend on Robyn Street in Jukskei, but poor workmanship and missing traffic-calming features remain a concern.

Ward 106 councillor Chris Santana recently returned to the site with Fourways Review to assess the safety improvements following years of complaints about vehicles crashing at the sharp bend and, in some cases, ending up inside a resident’s property. Santana welcomed the intervention but criticised what he described as poor workmanship, particularly the positioning of the signage. “There is still an issue in the question around workmanship. Look at the signs here, nothing is symmetrical.”

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He questioned why the signs were not installed at a uniform height and argued that greater attention should have been given to the appearance and standard of the completed work. “For me, it comes down to no passion in terms of work ethics and workmanship.”

The safety upgrades follow repeated calls from Santana for Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) to intervene at the bend, which he has described as extremely dangerous.

JRA previously confirmed that its mobility and freight traffic engineers had visited the site numerous times to investigate the concerns. The agency also confirmed that the damaged guardrail would be replaced and that a request had been forwarded for edge lines to be installed. Approval was also being sought for flashing warning lights. However, Santana said the area ultimately did not receive some of the additional measures he had requested. “Because we could not get any rumble strips for the area or flashing lights, they have put signage up there, they have painted the markings here and put reflectors on the road, so that there is at least more visibility around this bend.”

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Despite his criticism, Santana acknowledged that the intervention has improved the situation and could help reduce the risk of further crashes. Early warning signs for the sharp bend had also been installed previously, according to the agency.

JRA was contacted for comment regarding concerns raised by Santana about workmanship and symmetry of the newly installed signage on August 25 and followed up on August 28. At the time of publication, no response had been received.

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