FOR years residents of Umhlanga Manors have raised the alarm about reckless driving and motorists speeding through red lights on Umhlanga Rocks Drive, especially at the intersection of Westridge Road and Guildford Avenue.

Two months ago an article appeared on the front page of Northglen News where residents called for law enforcement and traffic calming measures to be considered as they feared possible fatalities.

Now in the space of six weeks there have been two major accidents on the same stretch of road near the intersection, one of which saw a taxi crash through the boundary wall of the Manors complex.

Also read: Residents call for traffic calming measures on Savell Avenue

In another accident, a resident’s boundary wall was spared only because trees outside the complex halted the vehicle’s momentum after it left the roadway.

Richard Edwards, the chairman of Umhlanga Manors Homeowners Forum, said they feel guardrails are the way to go.

“Residents are terrified that a vehicle could come crashing into their living room or where their children are playing. The most recent accidents involved vehicles driving down the hill towards the village. There is also great concern for pedestrians as they could easily be taken out. We have asked the City for guardrails outside the property because we feel that would make an effective safety barrier. We are also calling for more enforcement, especially from Metro Police.

Also read: City reveals upgrade plans for Herrwood Drive

“However in an email to me a municipal official told me that guardrails cannot be implemented. The fact that this is a life and death situation does not worry them at all. Residents have to have their heads on a swivel whenever they are driving through this intersection. It is not just one thing, it’s several violations, but especially motorists, including taxis, driving through the red lights and using the turning lane to get ahead of queuing traffic. Some of the elderly residents from the Manors say they are too afraid to drive through the intersection because it’s so dangerous,” he said.

Edwards said he hopes that an upcoming meeting between the uMhlanga ratepayers body and eThekwini mayor Cyril Xaba bears fruit and speaks to residents’ concerns.

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