Clifton Avenue residents live in fear due to ongoing subsidence issues
People are urged to avoid the part of the road and remain careful as an estimated 40 people have been killed in sinkholes in the last 50 years, says ward councillor David Farquharson.
Residents of Clifton Avenue are worried about ongoing subsidence issues in the road, particularly in front of properties in the area.
People in the area have raised concerns about their safety and the impact of a hole on their lives.
Resident Pateka Maka, whose front yard had been plagued by a hole since December 1, shared her frustrations regarding the issue.
She said municipal workers only arrived after 11 days to address the leaking water pipe, identified as the cause of the hole.
“Municipal workers came this morning [December 12] and dug outside my yard, and they found a big water pipe that supplies water in the street leaking,” said Maka.
She said the pipe has now been fixed, but the hole was left open to allow for drying.
“They said they would leave it open for a couple of days and then come back and close it up,” she explained.
Maka expressed her concerns that prolonged exposure to the hole could worsen the situation.
“This affects me because it’s always scary when driving into my yard or out of my yard as I don’t know what will happen,” she added.
“I also have children here, so I am really scared. Children walk and play everywhere, so a child can just walk over the hole and disappear inside.”
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Maka said when she first reported the matter to the municipality, her concerns were not taken seriously.
“I would send them messages, but not get any sense of urgency from them, which worried me, because the hole was sinking deeper each day.
This is a scary situation, and we are living in fear. We don’t know what will happen tomorrow.”
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Another resident, Maarten van Helden, expressed his frustration over the lack of action taken by the municipality regarding subsidence in the area.
He pointed out that this is the second incident affecting Clifton Road, with the previous occurrence leading to the road being closed for over a year.
“Now the road is closed again, and this is a problem because this is a main road where ambulances and emergency services pass by,” Van Helden said.
He further explained that the holes have negatively impacted property values in the surrounding area.
“Amkor Road is also closed due to a sinkhole that’s also there, making it a problem for us whenever we have to travel because we have to all use the same road, which leads to high traffic congestion.”
Ward 57 councillor David Farquharson said that subsidence continues to occur on Clifton Road, particularly on the western side.
He said the subsidence has also extended in a northern direction along the road.
“The subsidence is still active and is settling daily,” he said.
Farquharson mentioned that the city has been conducting assessments in the area and monitoring the subsidence closely.
“The efforts include daily observations by the city’s geologist, who is responsible for assessing the risks associated with any potential damage.
“She is very experienced, and she will give emergency evacuation orders if she thinks somebody’s house is in danger,” he assured.
Farquharson said the road was closed due to the movement of the subsidence.
“The road will remain closed for thoroughfare, with local access permitted.”
Farquharson said residents are advised to avoid the section of Clifton Avenue between River and Amethyst roads.
“Locals are urged to be careful as an estimated 40 people have been killed in sinkholes in the last 50 years,” Farquharson warned.
He added that once the subsidence has stabilised, there will be a determination about how much of the road can be reopened or if further closures are necessary.
Farquharson acknowledged that many residents view the situation as an inconvenience, but emphasised the importance of safety for everyone involved.
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