Residents cry foul as Emeris traffic chokes Sandown
Sandown commuters say traffic around Emeris has turned into an all-day jam. Campus management, JMPD, and Ward 91 councillor Andrew Stewart provide their feedback on what’s being done to tackle the problem.
Sandown residents say daily life has been upended since the opening of the new Emeris campus, with once busy arterial routes now described as permanent peak hour.
From Grayston Drive to Rivonia Road, Katharine Street, and Webber Road, traffic congestion has become a flashpoint between the community and the institution, which currently accommodates about 5 000 students, with limited parking and plans to grow.
Read more: Ward 106 councillor fumes over ongoing potholes and non-functional traffic lights
Long-time Strathavon resident Jill Hagley said the traffic congestion has become worse since the campus opened in February. “I’m deeply concerned about the traffic impact that the new university, Emeris, is having on the residents. The traffic on Grayston Drive around Emeris is absolutely gridlocked. Students are trying to get into the campus, where inadequate parking has been made available.
“They block Grayston Drive as they try to enter Emeris, creating a gridlock situation all the way back to the highway going south, and all the way up to Rivonia Road going north.”
Hagley said the site, previously used as a FNB conference centre with capacity for about 400 people, is now expected to eventually accommodate up to 13 000. “The campus currently accommodates approximately 4 000 students, with plans to increase that number to 9 000 by the end of the year, and a long-term vision of 13 000 students. 13 000 students on the same campus without any rezoning or any upgrades to infrastructure is simply unsustainable.
“The students simply don’t have adequate parking. You also notice that they are parking on residential streets, in front of driveways, preventing residents from leaving their homes. Webber Road is completely backed up, affecting nearby schools as well.”
Hagley questioned whether sufficient traffic and engineering studies were conducted before expansion. “It’s unacceptable that an entire residential area is impacted due to poor planning and inadequate traffic impact assessments.”
Emeris responds
Emeris head of communications Sarnelia Mandapalli acknowledged community frustration, but said the institution had complied with all legal requirements. “We understand the impact of the increased traffic congestion on daily routines, and we want to assure the community that we are taking these concerns seriously. As a new campus, of approximately 5 000 students, the start of the academic year has naturally brought on a significant increase in movement in the area.”
Mandapalli confirmed that necessary land use, zoning, and building plan approvals were obtained from the relevant authorities, and a traffic impact assessment was commissioned and submitted as part of the approval process. “All access and parking provisions were reviewed and approved by the appropriate municipal departments, and the campus operates in accordance with these approved conditions.”
To ease the pressure, Mandapalli said they have secured additional off-site parking at Benmore Shopping Centre, the former Benmore Gardens campus, and the Virgin Active on Grayston Drive, with shuttle services running throughout the day. “On-campus parking has been restricted to senior and post graduate students with valid permits, and students are notified, via our WhatsApp group, when parking reaches capacity, and redirected elsewhere.”
Also read: Residents cry foul as Emeris chokes Sandown traffic
She added that the campus is also working with Ward 91 councillor Andrew Stewart and the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) to address illegal parking, and has increased security presence at its entrance to assist with traffic flow. “We are confident that traffic conditions will improve as students settle into their routines and make use of the alternative parking and shuttle services now in place.”
Councillor: ‘More could have been done.’
Stewart confirmed that he had submitted written questions to the MMC for development planning regarding approvals of the campus. “They confirmed that building plans for Emeris were approved, and a parking/traffic assessment was done. I have followed up with the MMC to get further details of the traffic plan.”
He added that he has been engaging with the campus management, and was assured that they are working with JMPD to discipline students who ignore parking rules. “However, I do think that more could have been done to ensure that there was not anarchy around the campus. Hopefully, JMPD will have a presence on Webber Road, to ease traffic congestion.”
JMPD: Fines issued, probe underway
JMPD spokesperson Xolani Fihla said Region E had not initially received formal complaints specifically relating to the campus’ impact, but officers were deployed to Grayston Drive and Webber Road on February 25, following media enquiries from Sandton Chronicle. “Several vehicles obstructing traffic and pavements were identified and removed from the site. Remaining non-compliant vehicles were issued with Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences Act fines, specifically for disobeying a road traffic sign or parking in a prohibited area.”
Fihla said a formal investigation has been opened into traffic flow, pedestrian safety, and fines issued in the past six months. “JMPD will engage with the city’s transport department and campus management to review the adequacy of internal parking versus student capacity. Plans are being reviewed to increase the presence of officers during the identified extended peak hours to prevent gridlock before it begins.”
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