Good work deserves recognition

Madam – Re : Efforts made by the Department of Transport

It’s not often that good work gets the recognition that it deserves, so the DA welcomes the effort of the Department of Transport for their work in the Emadlangeni area.

In particular, the DA wants especially to point out three areas where a great impact has been made:

1) Twice every day our pupils have to do battle with fast moving taxis and heavy vehicles as they cross or walk alongside the R34 and in particular across a 1 metre wide footpath over the local river. Now, after campaigning via the Sector Police Forum, the DOT has built a comprehensive set of speed humps to slow down this traffic now to just a mad gallop. The traffic still abuses the speed limits but at least there is a visible reduction. I’m sure there will be grumbles from some road users but one pupil’s life is worth more than a million shock absorbers.

2) The rural road from Utrecht to Paulpietersburg (Knights Hill) was an absolute nightmare, particularly on the steep upper sections. DOT has made great improvements by first grading the road and later repairing the badly eroded washboard section recently. The nature of this road is that it will be an ongoing battle but for now, it’s much better.

3) By the same token, the exit road toward Groenvlei was in an even worse condition with four sections having 200mm high boulders projecting from the surface. Again DOT has filled and levelled these sections so they are now passable.

A further less obvious benefit is that tourists will now be able to access this area as well as the wetlands beyond without having to risk their vehicles.

The DA recognises all the above work and is sure that the citizens of Utrecht will benefit from these activities.

Cllr P.Collins