Letter: Road structure collapse

Ward 22 DA branch chair Ann McDonnell writes:

We do live in a beautiful area, and by and large we are happy with the municipal service received.

Certainly, water and sanitation and refuse removal services, both contracted out have worked well, adding to our growth and economy.

Now it is concerning to see the state of our road and electrical infrastructure.

The upgrade of Ocean Drive was so welcome, but many more roads are past being able to be patched successfully and need similar expensive upgrades, so this is where we would like to begin.

We want to assist, with all interested groups or individuals, in driving the issue of planning for urgent upgrades of roads like Basil Hulett, Club Road and Hugh Dent Drive, among many others.

Patching, while welcome, is a short-term intervention, as potholes reappear immediately after the next rain.

We want with your help to use a few approaches:

· A petition on social media – asking you to please share to as many groups or individuals as possible.

· Spraying the potholes to raise the visibility and avoid cars hitting them and damaging tyres,

· and getting any info in writing from any residents who have sent complaints without getting a response.

The official Ward 22 committee send reports on the roads needing work twice monthly, and occasionally get patching done.

As a matter of interest, Club Road was reported in 2014, 7 years ago, and nothing yet.

Half of Hugh Dent was patched before December holidays, and the tar removed left on the pavement for the busy season, no sign of the other half being repaired yet.

My appeal is that we also get copies of as many emails or letters not attended to, compile them, present these to the Municipal Manager, take photos of our submission so this issue can be escalated to the DA Provincial COGTA spokesperson for further pressure to be applied.

I include the numbers for you to report below.

Please send mails and copy ward Councillor Privi Makhan so we can track the report and response, if any.

Email for road complaints: FisokuhleM@kwadukuza.gov.za; MelanP@kwadukuza.gov.za; and copy to privy.m@gmail.com