AS predicted by Gill Noyce, PR Councillor for ward 8, the closure of Inanda Road, due to the massive rain damage caused to the bridge, has resulted in excessive inconvenience and frustration for residents in the area .
According to Andre Naude, the treasurer of the West Riding Neighbourhood Watch (WRNW), the Metro Police have been “indifferent” to the residents’ situation.
“There were no Metro Police on duty on Monday morning (28 October). We had to call them for help. In the afternoon there were only two Metro pointsmen on Old Main Road and on Galloway Road,” said Naude.
Paul Poilly, another member of the WRNW, said “We have received almost no support from Metro, and have taken it upon ourselves to direct the traffic and to put up detour signs. I have seen them sitting on the side of the road in their vehicles drinking coffee or even sleeping. They issued us traffic cones on Tuesday evening, after we complained about the lack of assistance, so that we can use them to guide the traffic. We are grateful for the assistance, but I can not help but be alarmed. They did not even monitor our use of the cones.”
On Wednesday the WRNW members blocked off Leslie Road and a section of Galloway Road to allow local residents to move around more freely, and to prevent trucks from driving on the roads during peak hour traffic.
Highway Mail was on the scene on Wednesday afternoon and witnessed four Metro Police pointsmen arrive at Old Main Road at 4.45pm. They sat in their vehicle for approximately 30 minutes as they watched one of the neighbourhood watch members, Lester Jones, direct the traffic, before taking over from him.
According to Naude the Metro Police told them on Wednesday evening at approximately 6pm to stand down with regards to the blockades and traffic guidance as they had received several complaints from residents in the area.
“They agreed to allocate 10 pointsmen to assist with the traffic flow from Thursday, from 7am to 8.30am in the mornings and 4pm to 5.30pm in the evenings. We have since not directed the traffic,” said Naude.
After the WRNW informed residents on their WhatsApp group of the developments the majority of the responses were in outrage and disbelief. Many praised the efficiency of the watch members in guiding the traffic.
Jaques Baniel, a West Riding resident, reported that four Metro pointsmen were on duty at Old Main Road on Thurday morning, but were not directing traffic, they were chatting on the side of the road. “There were also no Metro police on Monday morning (4 November),” said Baniel.
Naude also reported that the trucks driving through the residential roads were causing massive damage to the roads.
“On Tuesday (29 October) morning a massive truck hit and damaged a water pipe on Galloway Road, leaving residents without water until Wednesday afternoon at approximately 5pm. Another massive truck also got lost and jackknifed on the corner of Elizabeth Road and Marion Road. This happened at approximately 1am on Wednesday. Officials were only able to free the truck by 3pm,” said Naude.
Comment had not been received from Metro Police spokesman, Eugene Msomi, by the time of publication.
