Litter plagues M19 motorists
A Westville North resident believes that the M19 has become a rubbish dump, and the department of transport is not maintaining it properly.
“THE M19 looks worse than a rubbish dump,” said Westville North resident Jim Boyd. He has reported the issue to the department of transport on several occasions, but has yet to receive a response.
Boyd first reported the shocking state of the M19 to the department on 14 August 2013, but has not witnessed any attempts to rehabilitate the prominent provincial road.
The road is littered with bags of dumped refuse, scrap metal and other rubbish.
“It is shocking, there is no pride whatsoever. The M19 is not only used by Durban residents travelling through the Highway area, but could also be used by tourists driving to the beach. What impression does this mess create for Durban and the Highway area?” he asked.
According to the disgruntled resident, the road presents a health hazard to the community as well as a threat to the environment.
“The rubbish littering the road not only poses a health hazard to the people living near the road, but and could also lead to a potential accident.
“There is one large piece of metal that I have seen lying on the same spot for over five months. It could cause an accident if it landed in the middle of the road,” he said.
Boyd also believes that the lack of effort is costing people dire job opportunities.
“This issue provides the perfect opportunity to give unskilled individuals employment. With such a high unemployment rate I would think that providing people with jobs would be a primary concern,” said Boyd.
The frustrated resident also said the issue also runs deeper than a lack of service delivery.
“It poses a serious question. Surely the department must have a budget allocated for road maintenance, so what has happened to the funds if the road is not maintained?” he asked.
Warren Burne, the DA PR councillor for wards 23, 24 and 92, echoed Boyd’s sentiments.
“The M19 is not well maintained by the department. It is strewn with rubbish. They have occasionally collected some of the refuse, and I am aware that they do have a contact with service providers who are responsible for the clean up.
The dumped refuse is a municipal issue. People should dispose of their rubbish properly so that it can be collected by the relevant individuals. I will investigate to determine if the illegal dumping has been facilitated by a breakdown of refuse collection and I will take up the matter with the municipality,” he said.
DA PR councillor for ward 15 Lucky Mshengu, also recently investigated the M7, which has also begun to resemble a dumping ground. He also pledged to investigate the matter.
Provincial spokesman for the Department of Transport Kwanele Ncalane could not be reached for comment at the time of publication.
