Litter festers along R34 Memel Road
At numerous points along the R34 Memel Road between Impala Drive and Gemsbok Avenue, bins were overflowing and refuse was heaped up close to the roadside.
The saying goes that first impressions count.
And for many first-time visitors to Newcastle from the Johannesburg direction, their first sight is the length of the R34 Memel Road.
However, that first impression might not be so great.
Resident, Phil Hair took to social media last Thursday, to point out the filthy state of this principal route into Newcastle.
Despite being reported to authorities, she saw no action taken.
With the matter reportedly worsening by the day, Hair’s post received a comment from municipal management to the effect that staff would be dispatched.
Same-day investigations revealed the poor state of the road.
At numerous points along the R34 Memel Road between Impala Drive and Gemsbok Avenue, bins were overflowing and refuse was heaped up close to the roadside.
This garbage was clearly visible from the roadway.
The Newcastle Advertiser filmed a short video pointing out the problem and providing some insight into the matter.
Find the video on our website.
On Friday, the municipality stuck to its guns and dispatched teams of blue-clad workers to gather up the refuse into black bin bags and arrange for its disposal.
However, certain questions needed to be asked.
In a formal inquiry to Newcastle Municipality, officials were asked what steps would be taken to avoid future embarrassment, how frequently the area was cleared of litter and what caused delays in the area’s refuse removal.
At the time of going to print, no feedback was given.
Although it is the municipality’s duty to keep Newcastle clean and free of litter, residents should also remember their responsibility to the environment.
Contact Waste Management on 060 811 6528, 034 328 4700 or 086 014 4144.
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You can also email our offices on Reveshni Douglas at reveshni@caxton.co.za Quinton Boucher at newsun@caxton.co.za Bruce Douglas at Newed2@caxton.co.za Tersia Gopi at newed@caxton.co.za Zianne Leibrandt at ncschools@caxton.co.za
