Sinkhole swallows section of Glen Anil Street
There are fears that more soil underneath the sinkhole will erode, leading to a larger collapse of the lower end of Glen Anil Street, affecting not only businesses but residents, too.
RESIDENTS and businesses in the Glen Anil area are concerned over a widening sinkhole that has swallowed a street corner.
The sinkhole, which formed earlier this year, is thought to be as a result of a collapsed stormwater drain.
There are fears that more soil underneath the sinkhole will erode, leading to a larger collapse of the lower end of Glen Anil Street, affecting not only businesses but residents, too.
Also read: Kenville residents despair after yet another road collapse
Brian Harris, whose business is on Glen Anil Street just metres away from the sinkhole, said he noticed it widening in February.
“We noticed the sinkhole forming after the heavy rains earlier this year. Right now, the fibre and electricity cables are being held up by a piece of string tied to a concrete post. If the sinkhole widens, it will impact both businesses and residents in the area. This is a main route in and out of the area, and because of the closure of Old North Coast Road, more vehicles are using this route on a daily basis. Any further collapse would be a disaster,” Harris said.
Fellow business owner Zama Bovungana said that officials from the city had been out to investigate the sinkhole but that no concrete action had taken place.
“My concern is someone falling in here and the road collapsing. Already, you have an entire street corner swallowed up by this sinkhole. I actually put up concrete bollards around the sinkhole to warn motorists. I do see this getting worse if no action is taken, especially as Brian mentioned, we are now in the rainy season. Heavy-duty vehicles using this road could be impacted, and this would affect the entire ward,” Bovungana said.
Also read: City to determine scope of repairs on uMhlanga sinkhole
Avi Pillay, deputy chairperson of the Glen An-Hills Neighbourhood Watch, echoed their sentiments.
“We’ve reported the sinkhole numerous times, and nothing has been done. This is a heavily trafficked road, both on foot and by vehicle. We all fear someone falling in or being injured. Every time there is a heavy downpour, more soil underneath the undermined road is washed away which could lead to a large collapse. A lot of infrastructure there is critical to the area as there are power and fibre cables and a stormwater pipe. Given that the lower end of Glen Anil is industrial, any further damage would be disastrous to the area,” he said.
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