UPDATE: No smooth driving on Marconi Drive

In September, Newcastle Municipality’s Technical Department stated Marconi Drive was last resurfaced between 10 to 15 years ago.

October 19, 2017

Quinton Boucher 1 minute read

Potholes are still rife on Marconi Drive, despite work having commenced to repair the road surface.

Any hopes for smooth driving on Marconi Drive, Riverside Industria, were recently dashed.

The deterioration of the road was brought to light in August, when a resident complained about the poor quality of the road surface.

Opting to remain anonymous, the motorist claimed she was often forced to drive on the wrong side of the road, to avoid damaging her car.

Two of her colleagues were allegedly forced to repair their vehicles, due to them hitting potholes.

In September, Newcastle Municipality’s Technical Department stated Marconi Drive was last resurfaced between 10 to 15 years ago.

In a statement submitted by the department, a visual assessment was undertaken, and the potholes were repaired.

However, the surface had deteriorated again.

The Technical Department said it had planned to assess the damage to the road between September 14 and 15, and then effect repairs.

While repairs to the road officially began on October 10, Acting Strategic Executive Director of Community Services, Dr Dumisani Thabthe explained the Technical Department was facing obstacles, which hampered them from completing the task.

“Potholes were being repaired, but heavy rains and ageing factors contributed to more potholes developing.”

He claimed there were no structural defects warranting re-surfacing of the road, he assured the matter was being addressed.

While it could not be confirmed when the pothole repairs would be complete, motorists were encouraged to practice caution while travelling on Marconi Drive.

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