Month of love brings no relief for River Club motorists
Ward 103 councillor Lynda Shackelford calls on MMC for Transport Kenny Kunene to explain delays in road repairs after he made assurances that there would be enough asphalt to repair potholes during December holidays.
Residents and motorists in River Club are still navigating crater-like potholes, months after they were reported.
This is despite assurances by City of Johannesburg MMC for Transport Kenny Kunene that there would be enough asphalt available during the December holidays to address road repairs.
Read more: Relief for Kew motorists as JRA repairs dangerous potholes on 10th Road and 4th Avenue
Ward 103 councillor Lynda Shackelford conducted a site visit to Farm Street in River Club with the publication on February 11, where she voiced concerns over the road conditions and the delay in repairs.
Shackelford said she had previously raised concerns directly with Kunene, during a meeting on December 11 on Katherine Street, held during the activation of the city’s operation restore. “This is a major concern for me, because in a meeting [Kunene] and I had on the side of Katherine Street, he assured me that we would have enough asphalt for the whole of the December period, and that I didn’t need to worry. I spoke to him about the asphalt plant being available and tar being available for the Christmas season, right up into two weeks of January, but what transpired is that, on January 29, an email came back that he was very excited that the asphalt plant had reopened, after four weeks of being closed.”
@caxtonjoburgnorth WATCH: Ward 103 councillor demands answers from City of Johannesburg MMC for Transport Kenny Kunene, following his assurance that there would be enough asphalt to do pothole repairs during the December holidays. Video: Xoliswa Zakwe #Sandton #ward103 ♬ original sound – Caxton Joburg North
Standing alongside several potholes in Farm Street, Shackelford said the damage has been there since December and has worsened due to rainfall. “The potholes in Farm Street have been there since December. We’re now in February. I don’t believe this is the month of love, because you’re not showing love to my residents. Their cars are being damaged. We’re now creating a swimming pool here. The next thing we’re going to have Egyptian geese in here, Mr Kunene.”
Also read: Ward 106 councillor fumes over ongoing potholes and non-functional traffic lights
She added that residents along Belgrave Street and East Hertford Road in River Club are facing similar conditions, with motorists forced to swerve into the oncoming lane to avoid potholes. “Please, can we let the residents know why there wasn’t enough asphalt during the course of December to assist, specifically when I raised the issue, and please could we know when the potholes in Belgrave Street, Farm Street, and on East Hertford Road are going to be repaired, so residents can drive without massive bills towards their car tyres.”
Kunene was reached out for a comment, and updates will be provided once they become available.
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