Norkem Park residents raise safety concerns over R25 traffic lights
Residents have renewed calls for urgent intervention after non-functional traffic lights and overgrown grass along the R25/P91 corridor continued to affect road safety.
Residents of Norkem Park, Birchleigh North and surrounding areas have renewed calls for intervention over non-functional traffic lights and poor grass maintenance along the R25/P91 corridor.
Residents say the issues have persisted for more than two years, creating frustration and raising concerns about road safety.
According to City of Ekurhuleni Ward 91 Clr Desmond McKenzie, despite numerous complaints from residents and repeated correspondence sent to Gauteng MEC for Roads and Transport Kedibone Diale-Tlabela and Gauteng MEC for Environment Ewan Botha, there has been little indication of urgent intervention.
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“The R25/P91 is an important provincial corridor connecting Kempton Park to Johannesburg and serving thousands of daily road users.
“Yet, most of the traffic lights along the corridor remain non-functional, creating unnecessary congestion and posing a significant risk to motorists and pedestrians alike.
Photo: Masego Mashilo
“The poor maintenance of grass along the corridor has further compounded the problem by obstructing visibility at intersections, creating avoidable safety hazards and reflecting a lack of routine maintenance on this important provincial route,” said McKenzie.
The councillor said communities have a right to expect that concerns affecting public safety are acknowledged and addressed.
However, he questioned how residents can maintain confidence in government when ongoing concerns remain unresolved and clear timelines for intervention have not been provided.
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McKenzie said residents are not asking for special treatment, but rather safe roads, properly maintained public infrastructure, transparent communication and a government that responds to issues with the urgency they require.
“I therefore call on MEC Kedibone Diale-Tlabela and MEC Ewan Botha to urgently intervene by restoring the non-functional traffic lights, implementing a regular grass-cutting and maintenance programme along the R25/P91 corridor, and providing residents with clear timeframes and regular progress updates.
“The safety of our residents and the thousands of commuters who travel this provincial corridor every day cannot continue to be compromised.
“The Gauteng Provincial Government must demonstrate its commitment to public safety through decisive action, accountability and meaningful engagement with communities,” he said.
Kempton Express approached the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport for comment, but no response had been received by the time of publication.
