The state of our roads is shocking

GILLIAN WATTS writes:

Numerous complaints have been viewed regarding the state of our roads in Kempton Park and each month I notice that the condition of our roads continue to deteriorate becoming uneven, corrugated with larger potholes.

It is so important that we do not forget that our Government had taken on the mandate to develop, maintain and manage the state of our roads, regardless of where this service has been tasked to, to ensure that our roads are safe and consistently monitored and repaired. Sadly, this is not seen, and I acknowledge that there are other towns who experience the same or poorer road conditions.

Potholes are now filled with bricks and sand which only lasts for a while before they become larger and more potholes appear. Tar surfaces are cracking and sinking. Manholes are left open or they extend so far up the surface that cars have to swerve to avoid damage to their vehicles.

Highveld Road is a perfect example of all these conditions. Opposite the transfer station, the surface has been cracked for so long that these cracks have sunken into the surface.

The first manhole travelling from Pomona Road down Highveld Road was forced open and was sunken in. This was merely repaired by adding more tar, but this same manhole has now sunken in again.

The next manhole is lifted above the surface and the same can be viewed along Aloe Road. The potholes in front of Avion Park and the swimming pool have been there for longer than I care to remember. They are filled by bricks and sand, yet never tarred.

Further down the road, just before Monument Road, there is a huge sunken hole which could easily overturn a car if it ventured too far to the left. These conditions have been reported on the Ekurhuleni and Arrive Alive websites. Highveld Road is a busy road and serves as an entry and exit to and from Kempton Park, yet this single lane road is severely neglected.

I appeal to the City Mayor, Mondli Gungubele, to advise residents of Kempton Park what the plans for the conditions of our roads are other than outsourcing repairs to other services. We need to know that not only are our roads going to be fixed but that efforts will be made to re-tar entire stretches of roads. The simple job of filling the potholes with sand or tar is not acceptable or sufficient.

Proper planning and maintenance would have avoided this shoddy state in the first place. As a resident of more than 37 years, I remember a time when roads in Kempton Park were regularly tarred every five years or so, storm drains were cleaned out and the concrete were never left open and swiftly repaired if they were lose, cracked or damaged.

To the residents of Kempton Park, I appeal to you to not accept these conditions and to put the safety of yourself and others first as these settings are just an accident waiting to happen.