A trail of destruction for Willow Way residents
A deteriorating trail opposite the Klein Juksei River poses a significant threat to residents in a complex, who fear their homes could collapse into the river if urgent action is not taken.
Willow Way complex is in a quiet and serene area opposite the Klein Juksei River in Weltevreden Park. However, residents are currently faced with a disaster waiting to happen.
Chairperson of the complex, Bala Trivangalo, and trustee Monica van Noordwyk have raised their concerns about the trail located opposite the complex deteriorating each time it floods.
According to Trivangalo and Van Noordwyk, this was first noticed by a previous trustee who attempted to escalate it until she moved out and sold her property.
Also read: Residents demand clearance of overgrown greenbelts
Van Noordwyk adds that in 2020, she started noticing the trail slowly deteriorating from water erosion, followed by the gabions placed to control the flow of water collapsing into the river each time the heavy rains cause flooding.
“We have previously experienced numerous break-ins from vagrants who sneak in through the greenbelt next to the complex before making arrangements to secure the walls to keep us safe. While that occurs, the trail continues deteriorating, and the only thing keeping the little that is left of it is the invasive species and roots from overgrown vegetation.
“Five years later, we are still battling the same issue, and despite raising our concerns, we have not been successful. If the floods persist and the trail continues deteriorating, the wall surrounding the complex will eventually collapse and, worse, people’s homes will fall into the river,” Van Noordwyk explains.
RiverWel Residents Association members Neville Burnett and Kevin Thomson intervened with their assistance to find ways to escalate the matter to Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo (JCPZ).
“Most homes which are situated near greenbelts or rivers suffer the most and pose a threat to people’s homes. We try our best to always be involved in our community and help where we possibly can.
“This is a complicated issue because if the overgrown vegetation and trees are cut, it might ruin the remaining foundation of the trail, putting the complex at a giant risk,” Burnett said.
Also read: Desperate residents plead for urgent flood relief
The Roodepoort Northsider has sent questions to JCPZ spokesperson Jenny Moodley on ways to tackle this issue, and, once a response is received, a follow-up article will be published.
