Councillor calls on JRA for action on potholes and reinstatements in Fairland
With many potholes and gravel on reinstatements, Ward 89 councillor Zander Shawe is left waiting for promised repairs
Ward 89 councillor Zander Shawe is calling on the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) to take action to address the poor state of the roads in Fairland, particularly around Cliffview Primary School.
Shawe highlighted the urgent need for resurfacing the road, stating that it was riddled with potholes and resembled a war zone, with ‘bombs falling everywhere’. He emphasised the importance of maintaining safe access for the children and for parents who drop them off.
In addition to the potholes, Shawe pointed out that a reinstatement nearby remained unaddressed, leaving half of the road filled with gravel and overgrown bushes.
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Despite previous assurances from the JRA that the road would be fixed, he expressed frustration over the lack of progress. “Every time I follow up, they say it will be done, but nothing has changed,” he said.
“The biggest issue I have with the JRA is the empty promises,” Shawe added, urging the agency to prioritise the safety of the community and take swift action to resolve these ongoing road issues.
JRA head of department of regional operations, Khaya Gqibitole, said that since the reopening of their asphalt factory in 2023, their service delivery had improved. “The JRA asphalt plant has assisted all the JRA regional depots in expediting asphalt-related road maintenance activities, which has equated to improved service delivery.”
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Gqibitole said that the backlog of potholes in Region C was a moving target, as roads were exposed to weather conditions. “New potholes are recorded and scheduled during routine and reactive inspections. There is no definitive figure as the numbers are dynamic and change daily.”
He added that there were no delays in the procurement of materials for infrastructure repairs.
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