Councillor requests new contractor for roadworks completion
Following the inconvenience caused by the contratractor community requests contract to be given to someone else.
Tired of the inconvenience caused by roadworks in Barvallen and Rustivia, residents held a public meeting on Wednesday to air their grievances.
Present at the meeting was Ward 92 councillor Tiziana Plaskitt, Mike Waters, MP, deputy chief whip in parliament, constituency head: Lethabong, Ward 17 councillor Simon Lapping and a few Barvallen and Rustivia residents.
Concerns raised included the lack of temporary traffic signs on Barbara and Kraft’s roads diverting trucks to Elandsfontein Road, concrete bollards and the lack of EMPD officers on site.
Maria Dekker from Homestead said she was forced to spend four days with family because of roadworks just outside her home on Richard Avenue.
“They dug a hole in my driveway, so driving in and out was a hassle for me.
“My car now has scratches on the front caused by the steep hill that was in my driveway caused by the contractors.
“No official time frames are given and they do not communicate with us.
“All we get is ‘bear with us’,” said Dekker.
ALSO READ: Disgruntled Rustivia resident speaks on roadworks
Residents claim that roadworks have increased water outages, electricity outages and crime in their area.
Business owners said business has plummeted due to the ongoing roadworks.
According to Plaskitt, contractors have not committed to the service level agreement.
“The site manager Stanley Mokoena said road makings could not be done on Monday due to the rain.
“The key problem we have with the contractor is lack of communication and commitment to dates.
“In a meeting, we held with the metro, consultants and the contractor, a number of points were mentioned which the contractor committed to but in execution, many were ignored.
“Flag women were almost hit by trucks that did not adhere to speed limits or temporary traffic signs.
“We requested concrete bollards but none were placed.
“I believe that in future contractors should be penalised if they breach the service level agreement.
“I have informed the metro that we do not want this contractor involved in the completion of all the other phases,” said Plaskitt.
“The contractor’s bad behaviour reflects badly on the metro.”
The roads were reopened on Wednesday evening.
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