Bloubosrand residents stand by their gate

Bloubosrand residents are determined to stand by their reasons for blocking roads in the area and to find an effective solution to the way forward.

This after the gate they had erected on Rooikrans Road had been cut down by persons unknown and put back into place by residents on 21 February.

Representative of the Bloubosrand Community Forum Yannick Algrain said that residents met with the City of Johannesburg and the JRA on 19 February to discuss the road closures.

“We attended that meeting with our attorney to negotiate an interim solution for pedestrians and help to ease the traffic at the Vloot Street entrance. At this point, we have approval from the City so long as these solutions are put into place, which they have been since 21 February,” said Algrain.

ALSO READ: Frustrated Bordeaux South residents petition for water maintainance

The solution is that private security will open the gate on Rooikrans Road during peak times, and close it during off-peak times to ease traffic and let pedestrians through.

Algrain noted that since the inception of the solutions there have been five incidents of serious crimes in the area.

She said, “We want a solution that works for all, and we are currently carefully monitoring the traffic and crime trends in the area. If they continue to be a problem, then we will use this to build a case with the JRA to adopt a permanent closure solution.”

Algrain added that the residents view the cutting down of the gate as a criminal offence and will be opening a case of vandalism at the Douglasdale Police Station for them to investigate.

“We do not want crime in our community any longer. We are pushing for a solution that works best to keep the crime out. The current solution to open and close the gates during peak and off-peak times will remain if we can conclude that it is effective,” she concluded.

The Randburg Sun is awaiting comment from the JRA.