Ward 109 councillor Lori Coogan has raised concerns about a dangerous section of Carnation Street in Gallo Manor, after the tree roots pushed up the surface, creating what residents have described as a raised pothole.
Coogan visited the site with Sandton Chronicle on February 23 to assess the damage and observe traffic patterns. “What has happened is that the tree has got roots that have extended along the road. As a result of this extension, vehicles have impacted this raised structure. We now have a pothole here.”
Coogan added that, after monitoring the area, she observed that about 95% of vehicles are swerving to the other lane to get past this section. This behaviour, she said, increases the risk of collisions.
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“I think the combination of the height and the pothole has actually made it quite an issue for motorists. People are consciously even waiting before they go on the opposite side of the road to avoid damaging their vehicles.”
Coogan added that she engaged with Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) and Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo (JCPZ) on site this morning, and both entities have committed to addressing the problem.
@caxtonjoburgnorth Ward 109 councillor Lori Coogan talks about the possible dangers on Carnation Road in Gallo Manor as invasive tree roots lifts the tar, creating a traffic hazard. Video: Xoliswa Zakwe #caxtonlocalmedia #News #Community #Localnews #johannesburg #SA #2026 #Sandton #Government #servicedelivery ♬ original sound – Caxton Joburg North
“They promised to do their best to try and resolve the situation and cut off the root section, treat it as a normal pothole, patch it, and make sure that it’s level with the rest of the road, so that it’s no longer a traffic hazard.”
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