Infamous pond on Parkmore’s 4th Street and Victoria Avenue gone, but community leaders fear storm water saga isn’t over

After years of persistent complaints, and months of renewed calls for action, the long-standing storm water problem at the corner of Victoria Avenue and 4th Street in Parkmore has finally been addressed.

During a site visit on July 23, Ward 90 councillor Renate van Onselen and Parkmore suburb manager, and Ward 90 committee member, Lori Klein welcomed the completion of Johannesburg Roads Agency’s (JRA) repair work, but cautioned that only time, and the return of rainy season, will determine whether the solution is permanent.

Read more: Bryanston’s stubborn leak on Bryanston Drive has been fixed again

Standing at the once waterlogged intersection, Van Onselen said: “After all the reporting over many, many years, the beautiful pond we had at the corner, has now finally been fixed.

“For the moment, everything seems to be sound. I think beggars can’t be choosers, but they could have done a bit of a neater job. The reinstatement here behind us, it’s not so great, but at least it is a vast improvement on where we were.” Despite welcoming the completed work, Van Onselen said questions remain about what was done beneath the surface.

Klein, who had monitored the storm water issues in the suburb for years, said she observed changes to the underground drainage system while the repairs were underway. “My concerns here are, when the construction was being done by JRA, I noticed they have now diverted the water system along 4th Street, as opposed to it continuing down Victoria Avenue.”

Also read: Bryanston leak continues after failed Johannesburg Water repairs

She added that she is little bit worried that the underground water problem might not have been completely resolved. “Water likes running straight. It doesn’t like going at 90° corners. So, I am a little bit concerned, but I guess we have to wait for the water from the rainfall and see what transpires.”

Van Onselen also expressed disappointment that attempts to engage directly with JRA during the construction process were unsuccessful. Klein also raised concerns about the water seepage at the corner of 5th and Victoria streets, where the repairs were also done. “We have another water leak that seems to be appearing from underneath the asphalt, and it seems to be getting worse. Even though it’s not heavy, it’s definitely trickling, and it’s now starting to move on both sides of the road.”

@caxtonjoburgnorth WATCH: Ward 90 councillor Renate van Onselen and Parkmore suburb manager Lori Klein inspect the repaired storm water site at the corner of 4th Street and Victoria Avenue. Video: Xoliswa Zakwe #Sandton #Ward90 #Stormwater #4thstreet ♬ original sound – Caxton Joburg North

Van Onselen added that during earlier joint inspections with Johannesburg Water and JRA, officials had agreed that the problem needed to be resolved from the upper section of the drainage system first. “They started from the top [6th and 5th streets]. Somewhere in the middle of Victoria Avenue, there is a spring coming up, and I worry we’re going to be back to square one again at some point.”

For now, both Van Onselen and Klein are pleased that traffic can once again move safely through the intersection, but say further work is still needed. “We’re very grateful that something has been done. The road is open and people can drive,” said Klein. “We do need some road markings to be reinstated again though, as people are not stopping at the stop sign here, they’re just driving straight through.”

The publication reached out to JRA for a comment on July 23. JRA acknowledged the enquiry and updates will be provided once they become available.

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