POLOKWANE – Residents in and around Voortrekker Street are voicing frustration over roadworks that began on Monday (July 27), leaving a section of the road between Grobler and Jorissen streets completely closed to traffic. Roadworks are also continuing along Voortrekker Street between Thabo Mbeki and Rabe streets.

Parents struggle to reach pre-school

Among those affected is a resident who is the owner of a pre-school along the affected stretch of road.

She also raised concerns about the planning and communication surrounding the project, saying people living and working in the area were unable to reach the school to collect their children because of the road closure, raising concerns about the disruption to daily school routines.

Residents question planning

The resident also raised concerns about the planning and communication surrounding the project, saying people living and working in the area appeared not to have been informed in advance of the closure.

She further questioned the timing of the roadworks, noting that schools had only recently reopened after the three-week winter holiday, which ran from June 26-July 21. According to her, the work could have been carried out during the school holiday, when traffic volumes were lower, rather than after schools had resumed, causing disruption to motorists, parents and learners.

Review Online has approached the Polokwane Municipality for comment on the roadworks, including the timing and planning of the project, as well as when residents can expect the affected sections of Voortrekker Street to reopen fully to traffic.

The story will be updated as more information becomes available.