Speed bumps will bar the bold

Speed bumps – are they a necessary ‘evil’?

The uncomfortable sensation of our lunch rebounding in our stomach as we drive over a speed bump is a feeling second to none. Comfort aside, speed bumps do make a difference.

Ward 2 councillor, Bebsie Cronjè, took to social media recently to announce that two speed bumps would be erected in Aquamarine Drive in Sunnyridge.

A resolution was taken by the Ward 2 committee and it was decided that it was necessary for speed bumps to be erected near Ferrum High School. After the decision was made, Cllr Cronjè, a teacher from Ferrum High School and an official from the Technical Services Department conducted an inspection of the street.

“We’ve received numerous calls and realise residents in other streets face similar problems. Their complaints have been duly noted. With the community’s concerns at heart, we decided to prioritise Aquamarine Drive for this year,” explained Cllr Cronjè.

She is adamant that brazen drunk drivers with no regard for the rules of the road pose a more serious threat than a shortage of speed bumps. “If people take responsibility for their actions and hold others in greater regard than themselves, this will already improve the safety of our roads.”

Each ward in Newcastle is allocated funds to erect only two speed bumps throughout the financial year.

“The identification and the need of speed bumps is done through Community Services Department (CSD). Technical Services receives the list of speed humps to be constructed from CSD and implements. At the moment, we have a number of speed bumps to be constructed with a budget of R600 000 per financial year which provides for about 30 speed bumps. Council resolved that we split between oSizweni, Madadeni and Newcastle West, which is 10 speed bumps per area. The contractors were appointed last week and will start construction soon,” said the Strategic Executive Director (SED) for Technical Services, Sandile Dube.

Cllr Cronjè hoped to target areas of concern and ensure speed bumps are erected in these areas as soon as possible.

It is evident by the response of the SED of Technical Services that the safety and security of Newcastle residents is limited by the municipality’s stringent budget.

“It is unfortunate that important issues like this are put on the back-burner and paving of sidewalks receives greater importance,” commented Cllr Cronjè.

Another important factor in the decision-making process was an incident where a drunk driver was injured in what could have been a potentially fatal accident in Fountain Street. Cllr Cronjè has promised to bring forth a motion to have a speed bump erected in the area as a matter of urgency.

“Ward 2 residents have also noted that traffic officials are rarely present in residential areas. This may be due to lack of funding in terms of overtime as well as a shortage of personnel which is a long standing issue. We call upon the municipality to ensure that going forward funding for the traffic department is increased so that vacancies are filled, overtime pay is guaranteed and to ensure that visibility is increased,” concluded Cllr Cronjè.

With resolution looming for the pressing issue of the safety of not only Ferrum High School pupils, but the community as a whole, we can only hope Newcastillians will continue to fight for more frequent upgrades, never expecting anything less than they deserve.

Cllr Cronjè can be contacted on 073 9411 846.