I wish we could restore Oak Avenue

Glynne Llyod writes:

Sammi-Jo , I have read a number of your messages re lack of law enforcement, inconsiderate drivers and pure disregard of rules of the road.

I have lived in Oak Avenue now for 15 years and have watched as businesses have taken over residential properties and MNet has grown from a single building to a business spanning blocks, the latest of which is still building in progress.

Over the years I have seen the traffic volumes increase using Oak Avenue increase significantly.

We are now at the point where it is regrettably a main arterial through Randburg bypassing the robots in both Malibongwe, Jan Smuts (lower

down) and Bram Fisher.

This places a large dependency on the road users to obey the road signs and rules of the road, needless to say this does not happen and the result has been a number of accidents on the road at the various intersections where at best drivers yield (if you can call it that) whilst the road markings reflect stop streets, ….

This has become such an issue that at a local school intersection a mock camera has been installed, looking very real in appearance, but alas only a deterrent for a short while to the regular road abusers.

Further down the road, with all the road works around Mnet, the problems become even bigger as the robots are inadequate / ignored and vehicles park wherever there is any opening on the side walks.

At the intersection of Oak and Republic the street markings are even confusing (and in my opinion incorrect).

As if you are heading south on Oak Ave there are two lanes that merge to a single lane at the intersection.

Unlike all the other streets in the area that merge with Republic, the left lane is turn left only and the right lane is for right turn and traffic wanting to continue straight….again a number of accidents and many road rage incidents and near accidents have resulted from this ….

How I wish that Oak Ave could be restored again to the suburban road it was.

Peaceful and tranquil with its trees….

Understanding of course that whilst the area has transformed it is unfortunate that the same lack of law enforcement, inconsiderate drivers and sheer disregard for traffic signs by the road users themselves has resulted in this …

Unless peoples attitude changes and law enforcement is significantly more visible one wonders where this will end….yet another death trap in the making.

Editor’s note: Letter published unedited.