A SHORTAGE of asphalt has become a spanner in the works, leaving potholes unrepaired in the city for over a year now.

This is according to Ward 35 councillor Bradley Singh, who says he has received ‘hundreds of complaints’ from residents living in his ward.

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The potholes that are most complained about are on Portland Drive and Herrwood Drive in Umhlanga, with residents either damaging their vehicle tyres or putting themselves in danger and attempting to swerve to avoid damaging their cars.

“I have received hundreds of complaints about the potholes in Ward 35. Residents have been logging their complaints via the correct channels to the eThekwini Municipality, but nothing could be done to repair these potholes due to the shortage of tar. It’s a major concern for all ward councillors as this is a city-wide problem,” he said.

“There are several vehicles that have also been damaged due to the size and depth of these potholes. We have had to deal with the complaints from residents, and residents have the right to question us, but the problem lies with the City and the shortage. In the meantime, the only thing the City has done to temporarily fix the potholes is fill them with crusher. The problem is when it rains, the crusher washes out into the road,” he said.

When the Northglen news met Singh on Portland Drive last Thursday, the two potholes on Portland Drive, which have formed around a bend, were filled with crusher.

Herrwood Drive, which is the main arterial road in uMhlanga, also has the same issue as drivers move onto the oncoming lane to try to avoid the huge pothole that has formed.

“This pothole formed after a water leak. The leak was repaired, but the road is yet to be reinstated. It’s a busy road used by motorists, pedestrians and cyclists. I will continue to put pressure on the municipality to ensure that potholes are fixed in Ward 35,” added Singh.

Spokesperson for eThekwini Municipality Mduduzi Ncalane said the challenge lies with the supply chain across the country.

“This has been going on for some time due to the shortage of bitumen because of oil refineries which could not supply enough bitumen,” he said.

“There is also a high demand for bitumen and asphalt due to the high number of SANRAL projects currently being executed. The municipality is also affected by this countrywide bitumen supply challenge. The City deals with an average of 2 103 road defects monthly – this is only potholes and road repairs/patches,” added Ncalane.

This, he said, includes reports from the public and defects identified during routine road inspections proactively conducted by the City’s internal road inspectors.

“Furthermore, the road unit, on a two-yearly cycle, has a proactive programme whereby roads are assessed for preventative maintenance purposes, such as minor to major rehabilitation, crack sealing, diluted emulsion/fog spray and any other types of preventative seals to extend the lifespan of a road pavement through a pavement management system,” said Ncalane.

Motorists can report through the number, 080 311 1111, or use the Municipal App to report road defects and potholes.

At the time of going to press, Singh had received confirmation from the City’s Roads Department that asphalt had been secured, and repairs to all reported potholes would commence soon.

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