A bumpy road to service delivery

Nerve-jolting, profanity-inducing potholes have become a bane for drivers.

Showing no mercy, it lurks in busy town streets and quieter residential roads. The fast declining state of the roads in Estcourt is no foreign topic; it’s a conversation starter and regular source of dissatisfaction among ratepayers.

ALSO READ: Pothole takes over Drakensview intersection

Sporadic road repairs are barely noticed as more and more roads are regularly devoured by new or growing potholes. Some locals blame the deteriorating road surfaces on poor workmanship, an example being the Alfred Street road rehabilitation project, which started in March 2015 but remains incomplete, causing extensive flooding of business premises and roads during heavy rains.

Another dangerously damaged road extends from the corner of Outspan Road up to Canna Avenue, commonly known as the ‘Forderville Hills’.

READ THIS: Motorist forks out R9 000 for pothole damage in Dahlia Road, Estcourt

Majority of this road has been ravaged after frequent water pipe bursts and repairs. Parts of this busy road, which is situated close to three schools, have remained in a state of disrepair for years.

The impact of the deep potholes can be seen during peak traffic periods, where a driver is forced to brave the potholes or the road is narrowed down to one lane.

ALSO SEE: Busy roads in Estcourt still pitted with potholes

Examples of damaged and ‘dangerous’ roads in Estcourt are endless, like the number of potholes popping up but what is the municipality doing to remedy this escalating service delivery concern?

The Estcourt News has enquired about the pothole repair plan on several occasions. None of these questions have been answered despite assurances from Inkosi Langalibalele Local Municipality’s Communication Department.

Click to receive news links via WhatsApp. Or for the latest news, visit our webpage or follow us on Facebook and Twitter