Pothole crisis on Monument Road raises safety concerns in Kempton Park

The deterioration of Monument Road near Cavendish Glen Shopping Centre has sparked concern among motorists, business owners and residents.

They say the potholes along the busy route are a growing threat to safety and infrastructure.

Several large potholes, including one at the entrance to the shopping centre, have become a daily obstacle for commuters.

According to Ward 16 Clr Jaco Terblanche, the worsening road conditions in Kempton Park are caused by years of limited maintenance of the Roads and Stormwater Department, compounded by ageing underground infrastructure.

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“Over the past three years, the condition of our roads has deteriorated significantly because of a lack of maintenance by the Roads and Stormwater Department,” said Terblanche.

Terblanche said he submitted a formal request for resurfacing the entire stretch of Monument Road.

However, because of budget constraints, the city only approved a portion of the road up to the circle.

“The department could only approve resurfacing up to Aftonwold Way,” said Terblanche.

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In the meantime, the municipality has launched a local pothole repair campaign, dubbed the ‘pothole blitz’, focusing on high-traffic routes like Monument Road.

“Last week, I reported all existing potholes on Monument Road to ensure prompt repairs,” he said.

He said there were early indicators of underground damage.

“To help prevent sinkholes, I urge community members to report low water pressure or water leaks to their ward councillor. Prompt reporting will allow us to resolve these issues quickly and avoid further road damage.”

A request for comment was sent to the City of Ekurhuleni on May 16, requesting comment by May 19 at 12:00.

At the time of going to print, no comment was received.