Tiffany’s traffic lights imminent?

After a wait of more than seven-years it seems the end could be in sight for long suffering motorists battling endless traffic and congestion at Tiffany’s centre intersection.

According to the South African Road Agency (Sanral) the installation of the long-awaited robots at the entrance of the shopping centre is imminent after the go-ahead was given from the KZN department of transport.

With no commitment to specific time frames Sanral’s Eastern Region Design Planning and Construction manager Ravi Ronny said they had reviewed the design and provided comments.

“We received the draft agreement between the municipality and developer on June 3 and provided comments last week.

“We are now awaiting the final signed agreement after which the installation can go ahead,” he added.

Attempts to address the lack of traffic signals at the Tiffany’s/Foxhill intersection has been met with a growing sense of frustration by locals who have been demanding a solution to the congestion issue for almost a decade.

As far back as 2008, Sanral, who is responsible for the road, granted approval for the development of the shopping centre on condition the developers undertake the work and foot the cost of the installation of traffic signals.

This condition was also submitted to KwaDukuza municipality (KDM) which holds responsibility for operation and maintenance of traffic signals.

However, issues revolving around contractual responsibilities have been playing back-and-forth between Sanral, KZN department of transport, KDM and the developers for a number of years with no resolutions reached to appease the hard-pressed motorists until recently.

This was confirmed by a statement from Sanral’s Ravi Ronny who told the Courier the matter was been treated as a matter of urgency.

Tiffany’s centre manager Nicky Vorster said they were looking forward to getting the final draft agreement approved and signed off so the installation of the long-awaited traffic lights could go ahead.

“The installation cannot come soon enough as this has been a nightmare for our customers, the motorists and the school children who use the road on a daily basis and whose lives are put at risk when the intersection becomes gridlocked at rush hour,” said Vorster.