No quick solution for Vlei Street floods

THE recent flooding and subsequent closure of Vlei Street in Glen Marais has once again sparked questions from residents – not only about the low bridge but also the recent closure of streets in the vicinity.

As a result of heavy rain on November 20 Vlei Street was still closed during peak hour traffic the next morning, causing huge traffic problems because motorists could not turn into side roads as they had been closed.

Bianca Dahl said: “When I noticed the boards go up for a road closure for the suburb behind Goodies for Gardens, I thought, surely, there is no way the municipality would grant this road closure. What will happen when the rainy season starts and Vlei Street floods?

“I did not have to wait long. On November 21 everyone was trying to do u-turns and cars were backing up, as no-one could just turn off one of the side roads, because they had been closed,” Dahl said.

“I do understand security is an issue for these houses, however, did no-one think further than their noses and realise what would happen on Vlei Street?George Henderson said this boomed off area caused a lot of frustration for the considerable number of people who have employment in the area and are coming from the station.

“It also prevents motorists from existing Vlei Street into this area when there is any type of blockage or congestion on Vlei Street.

“My question is, if everyone’s taxes pay for the road, surely it is illegal and probably unconstitutional to deny said taxpayers from access and free passage?

“Who decides and gives permission to allow this ring fencing process? Obviously the people living in this area would request this structure, but was a survey conducted on what the majority of people affected by the closure think?”

Sam Modiba, metro spokesman, said Vlei Street was originally designed to fulfil the function of a “low water bridge”, implying that the design did allow for occasional flooding of the “bridge”. “The reason for this design approach was due to the fact that Vlei Street was originally only viewed as a “temporary” link road to Pretoria Road. The holistic planning allowed for the extension of Dann Road to Pretoria Road to fulfil the permanent solution. “The long term planning, namely that of Dann Road to be extended to Pretoria Road, is still on the cards (part of the so-called K121 route planning). This is, however, provincial planning and is rather expensive. “In the meantime any improvements of the Vlei Street bridge must be considered within the wider planning environment and also taking the environmental issues with respect to Swartspruit into consideration.

“Improvements at the Vlei Street bridge will call for environmental authorisation in terms of the latest NEMA regulations (as well as a Water Use License). Apart from the timing attached in obtaining such authorisation, the recommendations of the authorisation and the related cost in fulfilling such requirements also need to be considered and weighed against pursuing the permanent solution. “At present, the current situation, although inconvenient at times, still seems to be a cost effective solution taking the wider planning and environmental matters into consideration.