Open drain on 14th Avenue puts Killarney residents at risk
A gaping drain and crumbling road surface sparks safety fears as a councillor questions the city's response.
An uncovered and poorly marked stormwater drain on 14th Avenue in Killarney has become a serious safety concern for motorists and pedestrians alike.
The exposed drain, which is currently covered by a broken and sunken yellow barricade, lies near the corner of 14 Avenue and 5th Street in Killarney. The surrounding road surface shows signs of deterioration, with visible cracks and wear, further compounding the risk to road users.
Read more: A four-month storm water drain leak in Houghton continues to spew thousands of litres of clean water
Despite being in a residential area and on a well-used road, the hazard has remained unresolved, with no proper signage or repairs in place to secure the site. The makeshift barrier offers little protection, especially at night when the area is poorly lit and visibility is low.
Ward 73 councillor Eleanor Huggett expressed strong criticism of the city’s handling of infrastructure issues.
“Once again, the Joburg mayor and the GLU are failing the residents of Johannesburg. The city’s infrastructure is falling apart, and the current administration is doing nothing to halt the decay. I advise residents to all log with hotline@jra.org.za so there is a record of the issue. And for all JRA issues, so the Urban Inspector and I can follow up and hold the administration accountable in the hope that when funds are found, issues can be fixed,” said Huggett.
The Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) has been contacted for comment. This story will be updated as soon as a response is received.
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