Casterbridge circle – problem finally addressed
Four accidents occurred there in the last four months. Sanral came forth with a solution to the problem.
WHITE RIVER – Safety measures at the Casterbridge traffic circle will finally be increased after four accidents occurred there in the last four months. The South African National Roads Agency (Sanral) confirmed that rumble strips will be erected on the roads preceding the circle. This was confirmed to Lowvelder this week. Sanral was not able to confirm when this will be done.
This traffic circle on the R40 just outside White River connected the town with Hazyview, Phalaborwa and the Kruger National Park’s Numbi Gate. The most recent accident happened on May 24. A truck ploughed over the circle, veered towards Casterbridge Lifestyle Centre and ran over the Telkom exchange and 22 lamp poles. Lowvelder previously reported that three previous accidents caused significant damage to the centre and its surrounds. They seemed to have occured in similar ways. During February, an independent contractor carrying crates of empty beer bottles crashed into GumTreez’s boma and narrowly missed several patrons. In April, the driver of a truck carrying a load of wood lost control and the vehicle ploughed over the circle. Shortly after this, one of Keystone Milling’s delivery trucks ended up in a ditch on the centre’s premises. The driver and one of his passengers were slightly injured after the truck hit the centre’s Telkom exchange.
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Mr Rowan Torr, project chairman of the Casterbridge Circle Project, said the addition of rumble strips to the stretches of road preceding the circle will pave the way for the project. The Casterbridge Circle Project aimed to turn the circle into an aesthetic landmark and a tribute to rhino. Project members intended to plant indigenous trees and plants and erect rhino statues at the circle. Crosses representing poached rhino will also be erected at the circle in an attempt to create awareness for the plight of rhino. Torr had been driving the initiative alongside landscape artist Ms Belinda McLintock.
Several businesses and organisations had pledged their support. Mr Louis van der Merwe of Casterbridge Lifestyle Centre had had discussions with SANParks to obtain three fibreglass rhino and plants from Skukuza Nursery. Protea The Winkler Hotel and the Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport had pledged their support once work commenced. The Kruger Lowveld Chamber of Business and Tourism had also been involved but more support was needed to successfully complete the project.
We Are White River, a website aiming to promote the town, was also running a Rhino for the Rhino Circle Campaign where people could donate a rhino (R10 note) to enter a draw for spot prizes. Residents are welcome to visit www.wearewhiteriver.com for more information. Enquiries: Belinda on 083-407-1969 or belinda@inx.co.za
