Community bands together to ensure safety measures for Fairland pedestrian crossing
Recent incidents of theft and vandalism of the bridge’s balustrades have exposed the structure.
The Fairland pedestrian bridge, which connects Fairland to Weltevreden Park over the N1 highway, has become a point of concern due to safety issues.
Recent incidents of theft and vandalism of the bridge’s balustrades have exposed the structure.
Read more: Safety concerns over Fairland pedestrian bridge
Ward 89 councillor Zander Shawe raised concerns about the maintenance of the bridge, urging that if the issues were not addressed, they would get worse. “If that happens, they will have to replace the whole thing, which might be more costly in the long run,” he said
He expressed his concerns about the many children from Laerskool Fairlands using it to cross the highway on their way to school. “The risk is that children can fall through the balustrades of the bridge and hurt themselves.”
Shawe reiterated the importance of keeping the community safe and called for action from the South African National Roads Agency (Sanral) to ensure the bridge remained a safe passage for all users.
Beagle Watch director, Andre Aiton, also expressed his concerns. “It is very bad; there are gaping holes, which is a risk to all users of the bridge, including children. The children can fall and end up on the N1 highway,” Aiton stated.
Pa’s In Aksie chairman, Jonathan Aucamp, conferred. “This is a huge risk for anyone using the bridge, as this opens the chance for someone to fall through the open sides onto the highway below.”
Community initiatives to address safety issues
In response to these safety concerns, Beagle Watch has partnered with Pa’s In Aksie.
Aucamp said that they had been informed by Beagle Watch that the fence, which restricts access to the N1 highway next to the bridge, had been stolen in early June. “We are a registered NGO working hand in hand with partners like Laerskool Fairlands and Beagle Watch,” he said. “We conducted a site visit and decided to intervene and replace the fence. About 150 children use the bridge every morning and afternoon, and for this season, we allocated funds to assist in replacing the fence for the safety of the general public and the children from the school.
“The fence was an easy fix, but the bridge itself falls under Sanreal, and we cannot touch it. We have raised the issues from our side and Beagle Watch, but still no action has taken place.”
A Sanral contractor who did not want to be named said they were aware of the issues with the bridge and assured the community that they would do their best to fix it.
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