After almost a year, the municipality has spoken out on the roads debacle.
On Monday, formal response was received from the Strategic Executive Director of Electrical, Mechanical and Technical Services, Lindile Zincume.
His response was as follows:
“The municipality has made provision of approximately R12-million for road sidewalks and storm water (drains), and an almost equivalent amount for road resealing. While it is feasible in terms of implementation, the limited budget would imply that only a few places can be done at any given time.”
Linked to numerous reports in the Newcastle Advertiser in the past year, were the problems plaguing the main road, Allen Street.
Mr Zincume also provided feedback on the recent rehabilitation of this street.
“The last phase of the project is the construction of the bridge structure, which is at a design stage. The road is practically complete.”
Another hotspot of decline was Sutherland Street.
As of this week, municipal staff have dug out and resurfaced the section, which was consumed by a sinkhole at the beginning of April.
Two nearby intersections have also been updated.
Where Sutherland Street meets Terminus Street and Lincoln Street, three-way stops have been introduced.
However, motorists have mixed reactions to this.
While the safety factor has been upped as result, some have questioned why a stop sign is almost completely concealed by plants and a sculpture at the Terminus Street crossing, heading away from Paradise.
Others have asked why the inclusion of stop signs was not communicated better.
“The first day the stop was installed, I didn’t even realise until I was across the intersection!” exclaimed one annoyed motorist.
