The municipality remains silent on the topic of worsening roads around town.
A stance of no response is an enigmatic one from officials, and it remains to be seen what the new budget might bring to the table in terms of urgent maintenance.
For now, the prevalence of potholing and rutting is considered a worrying sign.
A portion of the road at the R34 Memel Road and Allen Street intersection, is the latest to be literally ripped apart by traffic, despite the relative youth of the intersection.
Damage to the road is severe enough, that sub-surface layers are peeking through.
As readers might recall, Allen Street was voted the third-most dangerous road in Newcastle, following an online survey conducted by the Newcastle Advertiser in October last year.
This latest ‘development’ will not help the road’s reputation.
At the time of going to print, questions addressed to key municipal officials and Mayor, Afzul Rehman on possible steps to save Newcastle’s roads were unanswered.
In the meantime, roads are decaying faster than they can be repaired.
Many months after initial reports on the state of Murchison Street, where a section of the road and parking bays caved in, the only action to date is a mound of sand dumped into the gaping hole.
Closer to the Allen Street intersection, digging has resulted in further problems.
Earlier this year, as previously reported, an experienced civil engineer stated the municipality could not ‘get ahead of the game’, referring to degradation of roads and repairs which would result.
“There must be sufficient budgeting for maintenance of roads, not only on the capital budget.”
The official budgetary process gets rolling in a few weeks’ time, either in late February or in the beginning of March.
What are your views about this story?
Tell us by posting on our Facebook timeline, Newcastle Advertiser or tweet us at @nnadv.
Add us on BBM for the latest news in your community. PIN: 2B6C7269, or join our news service on WhatsApp.
(Please note: Comments posted on this issue may be used for publication in the Newcastle Advertiser)
