Brittle future for Normandien Road

The Chelmsford/Ntshingwayo Dam and the Ncandu Falls.

Those who have history in Newcastle, will recognised the names of two popular ‘getaway’ destinations in the area.

Reaching these used to be as simple as following the Normandien Road.

Nowadays, the road’s poor state is enough to discourage many from travelling that direction, despite ongoing roadworks.

Potholes are frequent and are dangerously deep.

At times, it is difficult to avoid striking these wounds in the Normandien Road, and other times breaks in the surface are impossible to avoid.

Answers from relevant officials are just as damaged.

The Newcastle Advertiser made numerous calls to the Department of Transport, seeking clarity on the fate of the Normandien Road.

After phoning around, contact was made with a supervisor reportedly on the job.

“I know very little about this. The right person to speak to is with the Dundee RTI (Road Traffic Inspectorate).”

There was no explanation from the supervisor as to why a Dundee official would have insight into a road more than 60 kilometres away.

In the absence of official comment, the Advertiser approached residents about the road.

A female motorist expressed her disgust at the state of the Normandien Road, stating she avoided the road where possible.

“The potholes are massive – if I get stuck out there, will there be cellphone reception for me to call for assistance?”