State of roads makes Westmead drivers feel unsafe

THE state of the roads in some parts of the industrial Westmead area has caused a great deal of concern for businesses in the area. The concern comes after the area experienced high volumes of traffic, making it hard for road users as they have to drive out of their lane to avoid potholes, thereby making it unsafe for other road users.

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Business owner Dean Bernhardi said they dread driving to work every morning due to the devastating state of the roads. “Westmead is one of the industrial areas in the Upper Highway. I don’t see why we should live in these conditions considering the rates we pay. It is hard to drive in this area where you have to comply with road rules and also look out for potholes – every time you sway to avoid a pothole, you are endangering yourself and the other drivers on the opposite side of the road,” he said.

This comes two weeks after there was a tragic car accident on Suzuka Road where a life was lost. It was reported that a bus, in an attempt to avoid a pothole, collided with an oncoming vehicle, leading to critical injuries and a tragic fatality.

“The accident took place when the bus driver, in a split-second decision to avoid a road hazard, veered into the opposite lane. An oncoming vehicle, with no room to manoeuvre, was struck head-on by the bus. The impact of the collision caused significant damage, trapping the car’s driver inside her vehicle,” reported Marshall Security who attended to the accident scene.

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Voicing their concern, a business that asked to not be named, said they are deeply concerned by the decay of the infrastructure which they said has affected their day-to-day attempts in being productive.

“Regarding the state of our roads – the potholes in particular – we suffered a tragic loss of one of our colleagues two weeks ago as a result of a pothole outside Gastrek in Suzuka Road.

“Further to this, there is another massive pothole located 200m down the road, on a corner, which has not been attended to for at least 18 months. I foresee another drastic incident occurring,” they said.

eThekwini spokesperson Gugu Sisilana said the Roads and Stormwater Maintenance Department (RSWM) has sent a roads inspector to identify the potholes and defects along Trafford Road, Suzuka Road and other roads in Westmead. These will be repaired as soon as resources permit.

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“The RSWM Department is not aware of the road incident referred to in Suzuka Road. While there are some potholes identified along Suzuka Road, most of Suzuka Road is in fair condition, and only a detailed analysis of the incident will reveal the cause of the fatality, and we cannot comment based on any hearsay,” said Sisilana.

Sisilana further encouraged members to report any road defects to Eservices@Durban.gov.za or the 24-hour toll-free number: 080 131 3013.

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