The CraigPark Residents’ Association remains dissatisfied with Johannesburg Roads Agency’s (JRA) turnaround time in reinstating excavations.

Vice chairperson Samantha Herman, on May 26, welcomed the completion of repairs of the major reinstatements on Jan Smuts and Rothesay roads, but noted that the repairs did not address the broader issue.

“There are still several outstanding excavations across the suburb that have been left unattended for extended periods, creating serious safety risks for motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians.”

Read more: Progress is expected to be made by JRA to repair longstanding Jan Smuts and Rothesay avenues

Herman noted that a particularly concerning example is the excavation at the intersection of Buckingham Avenue, Norfolk Road, and Somerset Road.

“This is a large and dangerous excavation, which has been there since the beginning of the year. This is not a minor inconvenience; it is a serious road hazard that has already caused damage to a number of vehicles, with several residents reporting destroyed tyres.”

Herman highlighted that the core issue was that repairs were done to the underground infrastructure, but the road surface was not reinstated within a reasonable timeframe.

Residents are then left with open or poorly filled excavations for months, or even years.

Also read: Community members are urged to report potholes to JRA before escalation

“Our request is simple, once repair work has been completed, the reinstatement of the road should be treated as part of the same job, not as a separate issue that disappears into a queue for months.

“We appreciate the work being done to repair water infrastructure, but the process cannot end with a dangerous hole being left in the road.”

The CraigPark Residents’ Association vice-chairperson reiterated proper reinstatements need to happen promptly, safely, and transparently.

Business engagements delay North Street repairs and tarring

Another example of a JRA delayed reinstatement is in Rosebank, on North Street in Melrose.

In January this year, the roads agency dug up the street in efforts to make it level and safe for the community after it collapsed, exposing leaking pipes in December.

Also read: Outstanding quotation further delays four-month-old storm water drain repairs

Johannesburg Water corrected the problem with the pipes soon after, but the road has yet to be reinstated, delayed by the constant seepage of water.

JRA’s acting head of regional operations Mpho Maruping said: “A joint site visit between JRA and Johannesburg Water, on May 12, indicated that water seepage is from the valves located at one of the business properties.”

On May 21, JRA confirmed that it was in conversation with the business, regarding the persistent water at the excavation. If all goes to plan, the seepage will be addressed shortly.

Maruping added that, after the site was dry, JRA would resume the road surface repairs, and an update on the estimated time of repairs would be communicated in due course.

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