RESIDENTS have grown frustrated by an illegal road connecting Esselen Park and Birchleigh North since 2012 and “cannot take it” anymore.
Those residing near the road in extension three are finding it difficult to make a peaceful living in the area as traffic is heavier at peak hours and on Saturday mornings because of vehicles travelling to funerals.
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Community leader and resident of Birchleigh North for 21 years, John Mashala, said the road started when people drove into the veld to dump their waste and rubble illegally. Eventually driving through the veld became a popular shortcut.
Ward 16 councillor Jaco Terblanche explained that the road had been a problem for some time and had been closed with concrete palisade fencing, but some people broke the concrete to re-open it.
“People’s biggest concern now is that the area has become exposed to criminal activity because criminals have used the road as a quick escape route. The police also do not want this road because those living nearby have lots of dust heading in the direction of their homes,” he said, adding the DA would continue to fight for this road to be closed.
He also said residents were tired of the dust, the noise from the vehicles and trucks, as well as the crime.
On Friday July 7, Ekurhuleni cayor Mzwandile Masina visited the area and spoke to locals about plans to close the road. Mashala said the people were not impressed because only now that there will be a by-election in the ward, did the mayor come to say there was now a budget to close the road.
“The people told the mayor and another council executive – who visited them before he did – that they must close the road before the by-election of August 23. I am concerned that the mayor is looking to gain votes and that he will end up making some rush decisions to close the road without identifying an alternative road.
“I believe the people use that dirt road to save petrol because of our bad economy and hence, I don’t feel like closing the road without at least creating an interim road somewhere on Pongola Drive. Otherwise, people will break whatever barrier is placed there,” said Mashala.
Terblanche said on July 7, that the mayor had told locals to expect to see the road being closed by July 10 but nothing had been done.
Kempton Express has not received any comment from the metro.
