Residents frustrated over shoddy roadworks

FRUSTRATED, angry and fed-up were just some of the words used by Ashokoomar Saikoolal, vice-chairman of the Kenville/Sea Cow Lake Ratepayers Association, when describing his ongoing deal with the municipality. Residents of Hendon Road have had to contend with raised manholes, huge ditches and potholes and said all they want is the issue resolved. In some cases, residents have filled the holes with bricks so as to not damage their vehicles. The project, which started at the beginning of this year, includes a 200-metre portion of rehabilitation which included the widening of the pavement, as well as putting in a new stormwater line for residents. However, Saikoolal said the work has been a living nightmare for residents.

“Residents are extremely angry with the state of the road. The attempt to raise the road level to affect better drainage has been disastrous. In the last three weeks, all work on this road has stopped, leaving huge ditches and protruding manholes that in some places are more than 25cm high in the middle of the road.

“These are huge hurdles that motorists have to contend with and it is extremely dangerous especially for those driving down the road for the first time. What is most annoying is the contractors have disappeared leaving the road in such a hazardous condition with no proper signs to point out to motorist the dangers,” he said.

Saikoolal added a number of vehicles have been damaged. “Surely the roads department are aware of this. It is sad that they are not taking steps to at least remove the hazards and temporarily fill up the ditches. In any work environment, the issue of safety and security is a priority and heavy emphasis is placed on this and it seems that the eThekwini Municipality is not concerned about this,” he said.