Fourways residents call for action to stop taxis driving on pavements
Residents in Fourways are frustrated with taxi drivers who use pedestrian and cyclist walkways to bypass traffic congestion.
Frustration is mounting among residents in Fourways as taxi drivers continue to disregard traffic rules, using pedestrian and cyclist walkways to bypass bumper to bumper traffic.
Despite efforts last year by Hans Jooste, the general manager of Future City Fourways (FCF), a non-profit company, to install concrete bollards on the offramp to Sunrise Boulevard from Winnie Mandela Drive to prevent taxis from parking on sidewalks, the problem persists at other intersections.
Jooste said planting the pot plants was a perfect solution for the Sunrise Boulevard and Winnie Mandela Drive intersection. “We thought the perfect solution would most probably be to plant concrete bollards, but that would have entailed digging holes on the paved sidewalk, for which we did not have permission as it is a Gauteng Roads Department road.
Also read: Taxi drivers cry foul over parking in Fourways
“We approached Farm Nursery, also a FCF member, for assistance. The owners of the nursery donated the pots and we, as FCF, sourced plants.”
The FCF then cemented the pots onto the pavement. Jooste said, by doing this, they were able to achieve two goals, the taxis can`t park on the sidewalk at the intersection anymore, making it safe for everyone to use it, and it complements the area.
“It has been a while since I saw taxi drivers, or any other vehicles, parking here because of the pots,” said resident Tshepo Phiri. “[The concrete pot plants] kind of distract them, so they worked. However, I do not think it is fair to interfere with someone’s livelihood like that. I must say they look good too.”
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Residents, like Cara Musnick, are now calling for similar measures to be implemented at the intersection of Winnie Mandela and Robert Bruce roads, noting safety concerns and the need for effective enforcement. “When will this end? Cyclists and pedestrians are forced to walk in the gutters, while taxis drive on the pavements. It can’t be too difficult to put cement balls, or even rocks, at regular intervals along the pavement to prevent this from happening. There must be tons of rocks available from all the building going on along Mulbarton.”
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Albert Msimanga said, the pot plants are beautiful, and that he likes them. He said he understands why residents are concerned about safety, but blamed the behaviour on traffic lights that are often not working. “The taxis, and other vehicles, wouldn’t do this if the traffic lights were functional, in most cases. Besides, they are also practicing good customer service because people are usually in a rush to work, so, staying ahead of traffic is ideal for them.”
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