A temporary construction site along Lynnwood Road near Die Hoërskool Menlopark has come under fire from residents.

The site was made available to the contractor at the start of the Line 2B BRT project as a temporary laydown area for construction vehicles, equipment and materials.

However, residents, who believe the site has become an uncontrolled dumping ground, say what was intended to be temporary has continued for more than two years, with concerns including dust, noise, waste, damaged fencing and alleged illegal access.

Resident Chris Heunis said the impact had gone beyond construction-related inconvenience.

Heunis said machinery operating on site was contributing to noise pollution, but his biggest concern was what he described as a growing hygiene problem.

“We now sit with a terrible hygiene problem because we have an infestation of rats,” he said.

Heunis said he had photographs of rats on a neighbouring resident’s lawn and believed the issue had become a health and quality-of-life concern.

“It’s now also a health issue. So it’s not anymore just noise and dust.”

Ward 82 councillor Siobhan Muller said residents had repeatedly raised concerns with the metro, particularly about dust suppression.

“I have been reporting and requesting that the site be cleaned for over two years.”

Residents have also raised concerns about the alleged health effects of dust, including a claim that a child was admitted to ICU after a reaction to it.

Metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said the metro was aware of the claim but could not establish a causal link without appropriate medical and environmental evidence.

Mashigo confirmed the site was an official holding area for the project and said excavated material was being stockpiled there, with some reused for backfilling.

He said surplus material had to be removed and disposed of at an approved municipal disposal site.

“To the best of the city’s knowledge, all material at the site was placed there by the contractor and not by third parties,” Mashigo said.

He added that the contractor was required to water the site regularly and increase dust suppression during dry or windy conditions.

The spokesperson added that supervising engineers had inspected the site and instructed the contractor to remove surplus material.

“While some material has been removed, the operation has not yet been completed.”

According to Mashigo, removal of surplus material is expected to commence by September 4, while no further material may be deposited at the site.

The contractor must maintain the site and fully rehabilitate the park, including the fence, once construction is complete.

ALSO READ: High-density crime blitz leaves 358 suspects behind bars

Do you have more information about the story?

Please send us an email to bennittb@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.

For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East

For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok or WhatsApp Channel