City Parks finally clears flood debris at Platina Bridge
After months of waiting, Jukskei Park residents finally see action as City Parks clears massive flood debris from Platina Bridge.
Jukskei Park residents are finally seeing action at Platina Bridge, where Johannesburg City Parks has cleared away the heavy debris left behind by the March floods—the second time the area has been damaged in two years.
The bridge was first affected in March 2023, and again on March 5 this year, when heavy rains swept massive logs and debris into the structure.
Within three days, the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) moved the debris to either side of Juweel Street, but it remained there for months, much to the frustration of residents.
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Ward 115 councillor Mark van der Merwe said he had been trying since March to get the debris removed.
“The Environmental Section of Johannesburg Parks was responsible for removing the logs, but unfortunately, they never responded and never took it upon themselves to execute their mandate,” he explained.
“After waiting for over three months for them to do what they are meant to do, I eventually spoke to the regional manager of Johannesburg Parks, who kindly assisted in removing these massive logs,” he added.
Van der Merwe also attributed the delays to logistical issues.
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“Delays were caused by the availability of the crane truck needed to load the debris, which was of substantial weight and size,” he said.
Residents expressed relief at the long-overdue clean-up.
“This is great news. Maybe now our bridge will be restored to what it was many years ago,” said resident Michele Brickhill.
However, Van der Merwe cautioned that the clean-up does not mean repairs to the bridge will follow any time soon.
“That’s a completely different issue and not going to be resolved soon. I am awaiting an answer from the MMC as to his priority on this bridge, as he said it was number three on his list, and number one has been completed already.”
Also read: Residents on edge as flooding hits Platina bridge in Jukskei Park, again
During his visit to the site, Transport MMC Kenny Kunene confirmed that Platina Bridge was one of his top three priorities, but also admitted there is currently no budget allocated for repairs.
The JRA has estimated that restoring the bridge will cost approximately R24 million.
The Fourways Review reached out to Lesiba Mpya, spokesperson for the MEC for Transport and Logistics, for an update and await his response.
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