Is there no STOP to the purging of traffic lights?
Temporary solutions have seemingly become the go-to fix for STLM, with traffic lights being replaced by stop streets across town.
Over the past several months, several prominent intersections where traffic lights controlled the flow of congested traffic have now been replaced with stop signs.
The removal of traffic lights has most significantly affected the following areas: the corner of Dr Mandela Drive and the N11; the corner of Verdoorn and Zuid streets, between Eastdene and the Industrial area; Totius and Dr Beyers Naude streets, on the road going to Mhluzi.
The Steve Tshwete Local Municipality (STLM) told the Middelburg Observer that stop signs have been placed at these points due to the significant cost of repairing traffic lights that have been broken in accidents, are misfunctioning, or have had essential components stolen.
STLM said not enough funds were allocated in the most recent budget planning, and they have thus come up with what they have labelled a ‘temporary solution’.
Petro Oberholzer, Senior Superintendent at the Middelburg SPCA, said the situation on the corner of Zuid and Verdoorn streets has put an ‘unnecessary strain on the organisation’.
The increased risk at stop streets compared to traffic lights is paramount to local businesses. This is evidenced by the traffic light on the corner of Montagu Street and the N11, at the entrance of Columbus Stainless, remaining operational.
STLM confirmed Columbus themselves are helping with the ‘maintenance’ of that specific traffic light to prevent any unintended consequences for their operations if that robot were to be replaced.
”If there is an emergency at 07:00, there is one helluva problem. You battle to get out at peak hours. It was much easier travelling with the traffic lights. Now it is just stop and go, stop and go.”
Oberholzer emphasised that nothing will prevent the SPCA from responding in case of an emergency, but the ‘temporary solution’ has added an additional difficulty to operations.
The traffic on the corner of Verdoorn and Zuid streets during peak hours leaves residents sitting patiently for upwards of half an hour.
The Middelburg Observer spoke to Carol Coetzee, financial director of Welgro Engineering, who said that her employees have to take alternative routes home from work, which is situated nearby on Celsius Street.
”Unless you get lucky, it is essential to find another way home. This is time people want to spend with their families,” Coetzee stated.
@middelburgobserver The removal of robots has led to massive traffic congestion at certain roads
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