Dodging disaster: Kempton Park motorists angered over potholes
Over the past two weeks, Kempton Express has been inundated with complaints from residents who are forced to navigate hazardous road conditions.
Motorists in Kempton Park are growing increasingly frustrated with the worsening pothole crisis on the area’s roads.
Over the past two weeks, Kempton Express has been inundated with complaints from residents who are forced to navigate hazardous road conditions while little action appears to be taken to address the issue.
On March 4, the Kempton Express team visited Albatross Street, from Highveld Road to the Voortrekker Road on-ramp, to assess the extent of the problem.
ALSO READ: Birch Acres residents fed-up with potholes riddled roads
Journalists counted 41 potholes along the 600m stretch heading towards Voortrekker Road.
On the return route towards Highveld Road, another 38 potholes were recorded.
Sarel Street proved no better, with 34 potholes counted within a 100m stretch, 29 of which had been previously patched.
“I am thankful that someone is taking notice of the potholes,” said one motorist who stopped while journalists were documenting the damage.
The potholes range in size from 5cm to 82cm, creating traffic congestion during peak hours and making it increasingly difficult for motorists to navigate the roads safely.
The depth of the potholes ranged from 4cm to a staggering 18cm.
Watch our video here
@kemptonexpress Watch as motorists turn a simple drive into a high-stakes obstacle course, swerving and dodging massive potholes that have turned this road into a nightmare. With each near-miss, it’s clear that these craters are more than just an inconvenience—they’re a serious hazard! #TiktokNews #kemptonexpress #kemptonpark #localnews #kempton #cityofekurhuleni #Pothole ♬ original sound – KemptonExpress
For drivers like Ruth Ndara, a Bolt driver, the issue is particularly severe, as she travels throughout Kempton Park daily.
ALSO READ: Resident frustrated over potholes in Kempton Park
“The problem is worse at night and when it’s raining,” said Ndara.
“I can’t see the potholes properly when they are filled with water, and I drive straight into them, damaging my car and tyres.”
On March 5, Kempton Express sent an enquiry to the City of Ekurhuleni, requesting information on:
• The total budget allocated for road and pothole repairs in Ekurhuleni and how much has been spent to date.
• The specific budget allocated for Kempton Park and the number of potholes repaired in the area over the past 12 months.
• The number of pothole-related complaints received by the municipality and how many have been addressed.
• Whether there are plans to resurface major roads in Kempton Park.
• The process for motorists to claim damages from the City of Ekurhuleni for pothole-related vehicle damage.
The city was asked to respond by March 7. At the time of going to print, no comment had been received.
