Ashley sinkhole is a growing concern
Natalie Rowles (78) fears that her house, which she has resided in for many years, might get washed away if the problem is not attended to.
AN Ashley pensioner is concerned that a sinkhole opposite her home will cause damages to her property as it is close to her boundary fence.
Natalie Rowles said she believes the hole next to a stormwater drain was caused by a big tree which fell on the road in a recent storm.
The hole has since been filled with sand and rubble and is not so visible, and with the constant heavy rains filling the hole up with water all the time, Rowles said she fears that the hole will go deeper or farther under this road, too, which may affect her property.
Also read: Burst pipe wreaks havoc in Pinetown home
What’s more, the road is filled with cracks.
According to Rowles, municipal employees responded quickly when they reported the problem with the stormwater drain. “But unfortunately, it was like putting a plaster on a [seeping] sore as the worst of the problem is in front of my neighbour’s driveway.
“I spoke to the driver of the municipal truck before they departed, and he promised that he will speak to the foreman, and the problem should be attended to. But to this day, no action has been taken after fixing the road repair next to the storm-water drain.”
The 78-year-old said she does not wish to see a part of her yard or house, which she has resided in for many years, being washed away.
“The April floods caused a lot of damage to many houses along the riverbank in this area, and to this day, most of the damage has not been fixed.
Also read: Upper Highway stormwater drain causes extensive damage
“I understand that the municipal workers are under pressure and have lots of complaints, which they need to attend to, but if this problem was fixed correctly the first time they responded, they would have saved a lot of money and time,” she said.
She added that she still has faith and is certain that eThekwini Municipality will repair their road’s damage and not pass it on to others as a ‘challenge’.
The Highway Mail sent a query to the City regarding this issue, but no response was received by the time of going to print.
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