Removal of trees on Louis Botha angers residents

This is in response to a number of trees on the pavement that have been cut down due to the development of Rea Vaya.

Bramley resident Jason Friedman said, “Louis Botha was once densely populated with trees along the road. Now they are being removed for the development of Rea Vaya.”

Friedman added that the trees have been there for many years and he is outraged that they are being removed.

“I do not know who covered the trees in fabric, but I thank you as a member of our community, because the Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA) should have come up with an alternative plan other than to cut down those trees,” he said.

Another resident, Linda Kruger said, “I am absolutely devastated. After 50 years or maybe even longer, these beautiful trees have ceased to exist. It was always part of the landscape and tranquillity of the very busy road. A little bit of nature on a road that has become a taxi highway with noise pollution and aggression.”

Kruger added that she understood there was a need for development but not at the expense of the environment.

Ward 72 councillor Steven Kruger said, “The question of the cutting down of trees was raised at the last meeting with the JDA and the reason they were being removed was to make way for infrastructure needed for Rea Vaya.”

In response, Matt Jackson of the development agency said, “Changes to the environment need to be made for the Rea Vaya to function. We acknowledge the fact that we have removed certain trees along the Rea Vaya routes.”

Jackson added that agency would replace every tree that they cut down with another mature tree, and would plant them in close proximity to the trees that were removed.

“The public is welcome to contact us and provide their input, and we will be releasing the details of our next meeting to the public where all of the community are able to attend and get involved with what is happening with Rea Vaya,” he concluded.