Hazardous trench repair ‘on priority list’
The metro promises work will be concluded this week as frustration mounts over long delays to backfill a trench in Lynnwood Manor.
Lynnwood Manor residents have expressed frustration over a gaping trench that has remained open for months following municipal repair work on Ringwood Road.
Residents claim that the trench poses a danger to pedestrians, particularly elderly residents, and undermines efforts to maintain their verges.
The Tshwane metro has confirmed that the site, which was initially excavated in May, is ‘on the priority list’ and should be reinstated by the end of this week.
Patrice Lasserre, a resident who lives near the site, said he has reported the issue multiple times over the past two months, but without resolution.
He explained that the metro’s electricity department dug a hole to repair a medium voltage cable in early May.
Lasserre added that the hole was left incorrectly backfilled, and the area is a complete mess as well as a danger to pedestrians.
“It’s still not fixed. I was told at least three times that the matter has been resolved, yet here we are.”
He said he has seen municipal trucks arrive on three different days on site, with about six or seven people getting out and doing nothing.
Lasserre added that they stayed for half an hour, and he is sure that they reported the job as completed.
“It’s unsafe to walk there, especially for the elderly in the area. Someone could easily trip and get hurt.”
He said this also causes damage to their verges.
“Each of us takes great care of the little portion of land between our fences and the road, often at our own expense.
“Then the municipality comes and wrecks all that work and leaves it looking like a mess.”
According to the metro, the work is on the priority list and should be concluded by the end of this week.
Metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said the trench was left open due to a backlog of backfilling requests in the city.
“According to our records, the reference number indicates that a service request has been issued to the backfilling team.”
He said the metro has an unusually high number of backfilling service requests, which has caused a backlog.
He confirmed that the water distribution team visited the site for quality assurance.
“Teams must give a few days to allow trenches to dry before follow-up.
“The metro’s water distribution team conducted a follow-up site visit for quality assurance, which includes checking for leaks before any backfilling can be done,” he said.
When asked if the repair had been signed off in municipal records, Mashigo said that it is still outstanding and will be prioritised.
He added that all trenches are barricaded or safeguarded to protect pedestrians.
“The metro has quality control measures in place, which include inspection by supervisors before it can be flagged as completed on the system.”
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