Repairs underway after stormwater collapse damages Birch Acres road

Following earlier reporting by Kempton Express on a three-month-old sinkhole on Fire Thorn Street in Birch Acres, the City of Ekurhuleni has since provided clarity on the cause of the damage, with repairs now underway.

The defect, which has affected mobility and contributed to congestion during peak drop-off and pick-up times due to its proximity to a daycare centre, has raised ongoing safety concerns among residents and motorists.

At the time of the initial report, the issue had been widely described as a sinkhole.

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However, City of Ekurhuleni spokesperson Zweli Dlamini has since confirmed that an in-house assessment found the problem to be a collapsed stormwater system.

Kempton Express initially contacted the City for comment on April 2. Although the response missed the original deadline, feedback was received on April 28.

According to Dlamini, the delay in addressing the issue was due to the need for a thorough assessment, as well as the planning and allocation of materials and equipment required to carry out the repairs.

“Safety barriers were installed as soon as the initial assessment process began. These were put in place to protect residents and road users while the municipality arranged the necessary materials and equipment for repairs,” said Dlamini.

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Despite the delay, motorists have continued to navigate the affected section with caution, with many already adjusting their driving behaviour around the damaged area.

Residents have now been informed that repairs are in progress and are expected to be completed soon.