Letter: Who is responsible for M4?

I repeat the question by G C Flett (“Who exactly is responsible for the upkeep of the M4 between Ballito and Durban?” February 8) and query your response which you say is the responsibility of the provincial roads department. I think this is incorrect.

Although I have seen no official notice, two articles in the Sunday Tribune dated October 1 and October 8, 2017, firstly highlighted the poor condition of the motorway verges and the extensive overgrowth, then confirmed that the eThekwini Municipality had taken over responsibility from the provincial roads department for the M4. I am just as confused as G C Flett.

Whoever is responsible, the sides of the 15km or so motorway are still seriously overgrown.

That includes the sides of all bridges over the motorway between the two centres. Your article of February 2 reviewing the enclosure of bridges advises that the Metro deputy mayor claimed overgrowth next to bridges that have caused dangerous situations, has been cleared. This is not the case with the Girls’ and Boys’ Town bridge, or for that matter the two danger bridges on the N2 close to the Tongaat tollgate.

And of course, there is the added danger next to the Girls’ and Boys’ Town bridge caused by dune sand building up alongside the roadway and restricting lane widths.

Finally, if the Sunday Tribune articles are correct and eThekwini Metro have taken over responsibility for the M4, where exactly do their responsibilities begin and end?

Who exactly is responsible for the Tongaat River Bridge on the M4 which remains in a disgraceful state of disrepair just on three years after the protective railings were damaged by a vehicle accident?

Is the province still responsible for the short stretch of the M4 from the Tongaat bridge to the centre of Ballito?

This includes the pothole opposite the side road to Hilltop Estate, Zimbali, which has been getting bigger over the past month or so.

Alternatively, is the KwaDukuza Municipality now responsible for this end leg of the M4?

Can anybody advise us?

KEN LEVER

for DOCRRA