Delmas and Barnard crossing sparks outrage after near-fatal crashes

More than 100 residents have signed a petition launched by Ward 47 councillor, Lida Erasmus, calling on the Tshwane metro to urgently improve safety at the Delmas Road (R50) and Barnard Street intersection.

Erasmus said residents have witnessed several near-fatal crashes at the intersection, caused by speeding vehicles along Delmas Road.

“This crossing is used daily by parents transporting children to schools in Wingate Park and Elarduspark.”

She stated that there is only one turn signal functioning at specific times and none at the other corners.

Erasmus added that residents are demanding permanently functioning turn signals on all sides, as well as rumble strips on all approaches to the intersection.

“We also need TMPD to conduct proper speed law enforcement on a daily basis,” she said.

Tshwane spokesperson, Lindela Mashigo, confirmed that the Roads and Transport Department has been aware of safety concerns at the site for several years.

He said the department had implemented several interventions within the available budget.

“These included regular road marking maintenance to ensure stopping lines remained visible and routine traffic signal repairs.

Guardrails were also installed along the S-bend approach from the Delmas side to “prevent heavy vehicles from stopping in the section and to safeguard southern properties after repeated crashes into boundary walls”.

Mashigo added that street lighting was also installed to improve visibility at night.

“According to the metro police department accident records, 28 crashes were reported at or near the intersection between January 2022 and September 2025.”

Mashigo said three of these involved injuries, while 25 resulted in damage to vehicles only, and no fatal accidents were recorded.

“Improvements to the traffic signal infrastructure are currently limited to signal timing updates, linked to traffic movement patterns and implemented in line with demand.”

He explained that traffic counts conducted in 2023 did not show sufficient volumes to warrant upgrades to the signals.

Mashigo added that right-turn signals can only be added if traffic studies justify them, as set out in the South African Road Traffic Signal Manual.

“The 2023 study found that the southern approach into Barnard Street did not meet the criteria for such an upgrade,” said Mashigo.

However, he noted that future development could increase traffic movement and trigger a new study.

He said in that case, Tshwane’s Traffic Signals Planning and Design Unit would reassess the need for additional signals.

On the possibility of permanent turn signals on all sides of the intersection, Mashigo reiterated that any upgrades would depend on studies and availability of funding.

“Due to the lack of appropriate capital funding as a result of budget constraints, the upgrading of traffic signal infrastructure, including adding turning arrows, even if warranted, will remain a challenge for the immediate future,” he said.

Residents also called for rumble strips, but the metro ruled this out.

Mashigo explained that rumble strips are not suitable in residential suburbs due to noise, particularly at night.

He added that Delmas Road is classified as a Class 2 higher-order road, where no speed humps or similar physical calming measures are permitted.

Although some residents believed the matter should fall under the Provincial Roads Department, Mashigo clarified that the section of Delmas Road between Solomon Mahlangu Drive and De Villebois Mareuil Drive falls entirely under the metro’s jurisdiction.

This means it is the metro’s responsibility to implement safety initiatives along the stretch.

“TMPD has monitored speeding at the intersection, responding to complaints in 2022 and again in December 2024.

Officers confirmed that speeding was a problem, but could not act because stop-speed equipment had not been procured at the time.”

According to Mashigo in 2024, speed codes for camera enforcement were created and handed over to law enforcement in January and August.

He said the technical team was tasked with arranging for the erection of speed and camera signage.

“The speed codes are now in place for enforcement by camera, and supervisors on the relevant shifts have been instructed to follow up.”

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