Dangerous invasive tree roots on Carnation Street finally cut
A long-standing safety risk caused by raised tar and invasive tree roots in Gallo Manor is finally being tackled following rain and equipment issue delays.
The long-awaited removal of invasive tree roots on Carnation Street in Gallo Manor is finally underway, with Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) and Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo (JCPZ) teams on site on March 20.
Read more: JCPZ stresses urgent need for residents to report tree hazards following heavy rains
The operation comes after earlier postponement by JRA due to the unavailability of their TLB and later persistent rainfall.
According to JRA, both JRA and JCPZ teams were on site on March 10 to undertake the assessments to determine how deep the JRA can excavate to remove the roots. Both teams were supposed to be back on site on March 11 to proceed with the pruning but rain forced another postponement.
“We sincerely apologise for the delays, due to the current rainy weather and maintenance schedules,” the roads agency said.
JRA region E manager Khumo Diphoko confirmed that while significant progress was made on Friday, work would continue next week.
Also read: Woodmead residents tired of waiting for JCPZ
“The teams will be back on Monday to proceed. We can’t fully remove all of them [roots] as we are headed to the weekend to avoid any traffic congestion for the residents. Once all the roots have been removed, we will commence with the road tar reinstatement.”
Ward 109 councillor Lori Coogan who raised concerns to the publication about the possible dangers of the invasive roots, welcomed the progress during a site visit on March 20.
“I’m standing in Carnation Street, where in fact JRA has just organised for roots to be taken out of the road. This has been a collaboration between JRA and JCPZ. These trees basically were the wrong species to have been planted here in the first place.”
@caxtonjoburgnorth Watch: Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) and Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo (JCPZ) teams excavate sections of Carnation Street in Gallo Manor to remove invasive tree roots that had lifted the road surface. Speaking on site, Ward 109 councillor Lori Coogan highlights the danger the roots posed to motorists, noting that the raised tar forced drivers to swerve into oncoming lanes. She welcomes the joint effort between JRA and JCPZ, saying residents will be relieved that the long-standing hazard is finally being addressed. Video: Xoliswa Zakwe #JRA #JCPZ #Ward109 ♬ original sound – Caxton Joburg North
Coogan added that when these wrong species had grown, their roots had extended into the road and raised the road surface.
“We actually have had a really unsafe situation here. And if you have a look behind me, you can see that we even had a raised pothole in the middle of the road. That was due to when cars were scraping on a piece of tar that had actually been raised by roots in the road.”
“I think the residents are going to be very happy that these roots have been taken out. Often we actually saw motorists going onto the opposite side of the road to avoid the roots. And that’s a traffic hazard. So I’m very pleased that this work is being done.”
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