THE Umgeni Park community has welcomed the erection of a new fence along Riverside Road in a move they hope will deter criminals.

The project, valued at approximately R1.4m, runs from the boundary with the Umgeni River Bird Park going towards Browns Drift Road.

According to Ward 36 councillor Heinz de Boer, workers are soon to install barbed wire atop the robust fence, shoring up security in the area.

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The previous fenceline, which had collapsed in places and was porous in others, was not fit for purpose.

The fence also separated Riverside Road and Wedgewood Crescent by a green belt which criminals made use of to gain access into homes in the area.

“This was one of the projects we identified together with the community, in particular the residents of Wedgewood Crescent. The green belt is an open space that has been used not only as a hideout for criminals but also as routes for criminals accessing Umgeni Park. Typically they would come along Riverside Road and because the previous fence was so porous it allowed easy access for them.

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“We heard some horrific stories about house robberies and attacks over the last few years. After consultation with the community it was decided that we would use funds from the Community Infrastructure Project (CIP) which funds repairs and construction based on councillor submissions. Each ward is allocated R3m and the money is used at the discretion of the ward councillor in consultation with the community. This project costs approximately R1.4m. The CPF has been very supportive of this project,” he said.

De Boer added that once the fence is secured in place, it will be topped with barbed wire.

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