Motorists have developed a new extreme sport – dodging potholes on almost every single road to avoid damaging their vehicles.
Unfortunately, residents of Constantia Kloof are sounding the alarm over deteriorating road conditions, particularly the growing number of potholes on major thoroughfares in the area. Despite numerous calls and logged complaints to the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA), locals say no action has been taken.
Also read: Safety concerns mount for Welties residents
Ward 89 councillor Zander Shawe emphasised key roads such as Constantia, Panorama, Edmund, Pauline and Duiker. Motorists are forced to swerve dangerously or reduce their speed drastically, creating a safety hazard for all road users.
“We have logged multiple calls with JRA. When I started campaigning and took over [from Leah Knot], the very same roads mentioned were brought to light again.
“Each time, we receive a reference number and a promise, but no work is ever done. We experience a sense of neglect. We have even attempted to set up inspections with the entity to show them which roads are affected and how long the potholes have been left as is,” Shawe explains.
Shawe adds that the worsening condition of these roads is not only a nuisance but also a growing risk. Potholes have been linked to tyre damage, suspension issues, and even accidents, especially at night or during heavy rain when visibility is poor.
Also read: PRA continues to tackle potholes
The Roodepoort Northsider has sent questions to JRA on the state of road maintenance, and a response will be given in a follow-up article.
