A PUBLIC outcry has erupted over the poor state of roads in Ashley.

Driving around the area, the Highway Mail discovered that some of the roads are on the verge of collapsing while others are filled with potholes and sinkholes which has forced motorists to practise a stop-and-go. On some roads, motorists are forced to drive on the side of the road to avoid these potholes.

Residents said that some of these roads have been in this state for more than two years.

“The entire Voortrekker Street is full of potholes as it is used daily as an alternate route to get to Caversham Road. A major repair is needed on the entire road. The huge sinkhole on the corner of Retief Street has still not been attended to after two years,” said one of the residents.

Another resident Tasha Fourie said that, at first, they were faced with the issue of a hole on Stride Road caused by a burst water pipe which was not filled.

“This resulted in two young adults who were on a motorbike landing in the hole which was about 60cm deep.

“One broke her leg, and only after the incident was the hole filled.”

Speaking about Voortrekker Street, Fourie said there is a sinkhole going more than halfway under the road.

“The one remaining lane is about to sink in. I now avoid this road as much as possible. Last week, I nearly had a head-on collision with a car speeding down when I was on the wrong side of the road as there is only one lane serving both directions of traffic.

“This road was washed away in April 2022 and has not been repaired since. The road is merely a thin layer of tar with nothing under it. Its sinkhole is already creeping under the private properties across the road. It’s a danger and needs serious intervention,” she said.

Another resident who resides in Frara Drive said their road gets potholes because of the large trucks that travel the road daily.

“Normally, eThekwini repairs this road three times a year, and within a week, the holes have started again. We need a complete resurfacing of this road – not repairs. It is an ongoing fight to get the road repaired,” said the resident.

Unrepaired sinkholes pose significant risks to residents

The Democratic Alliance PR, Councillor Sithembiso Ngema, said he is concerned about the delay in procurement of asphalt by the eThekwini Municipality, and this delay has severe consequences as it compromises the safety and well-being of residents.

“Failure to procure asphalt on time hinders prompt sinkhole repairs, exacerbating the problem. Unrepaired sinkholes pose significant risks to residents, motorists and pedestrians.”

He said that the delay leads to further deterioration of roads, increasing maintenance costs. “It also disrupts transportation and businesses due to sinkholes affecting local economies.”

Ngema recommended that the City expedite asphalt procurement processes. “A contingency plan for emergency repairs must be developed. It is also important to increase transparency in procurement processes and communicate issues effectively. The City needs to work hand in hand with local suppliers to ensure timely delivery.”

He urged the eThekwini Municipality to prioritise asphalt procurement and the repairs of sinkholes as well as potholes to ensure residents’ safety and infrastructure integrity.

eThekwini Municipality did not respond by the time of publishing.

For more from the Highway Mail, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok.

Click to subscribe to our newsletter here